Friday night's Jones Beach Fireworks Spectacular may be filled with razzle-dazzle, but it also poses a dazzler of a dilemma for pyrotechnics fans.
Should you go for the nearly half-hour of stunning fireworks bursting in the night sky over the Atlantic Ocean, all synchronized to stirring patriotic tunes?
Or should you skip it, thereby avoiding the spectacular post-show traffic jam created by bedazzled masses inching homeward in their vehicles along the Ocean, Wantagh and Meadowbrook parkways? There might also be pent-up demand because last year's spectacular was canceled due to rough surf. (If there's an inclement weather cancellation on Friday, the rain date is Saturday.)
George Gorman Jr., state parks deputy regional director, says that each year officials analyze traffic patterns to make it easier for the 200,000 to 300,000 spectators to get in and out of the park.
WHEN TO GO
If you're not spending the day on the beach, as many do, Gorman recommends arriving by 7:30 p.m.; traffic becomes heaviest 8 to 8:30. Once all 20,000 spaces in the eight parking fields are filled, motorists will be directed to park on the road shoulders. Closing the parkways, as happened during the Memorial Day Weekend Air Show, is an option as the night progresses, he said. "We will be monitoring traffic all night, and if the park and the roadways are
filled to capacity, then we will make a determination if we are going to close the parkways," Gorman said.
WHAT YOU'LL SEE
Decide to go, and you'll see a world-class Bay Fireworks show launched via computer from an offshore barge due south of the Jones Beach Tower. Charlie Rappa, president of the Farmingdale-based company, promises plenty of "patriotic flavor" amid thousands of "illuminations and aerial shells up to 10 inches in size."
The newer sky effects include multicolored stained glass shells (think of a church window in the night sky) and the "Hourglass With Rings," Rappa said. Perennially popular crowd-pleasers include Saturn shells, which have a ring like the sixth planet; and silver and gold Brocade Diadem Kamuros, which resemble a gold umbrella with cascades showering down to the water. The latter is reserved for music crescendos.
John Mellencamp's "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.," Ray Charles' version of "America the Beautiful" and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture provide the music, which will be simulcast on Q104.3 FM and WALK 97.5 FM.
THE AFTER-PARTY
When the show's over, why race home when you can enjoy Jones Beach after dark? Gorman suggests playing a board game (chess or checkers are best) on the beach while others go bumper to bumper. Other reasons to hang loose: A deejay will spin tunes at the
Boardwalk Band Shell, and vendors will serve souvlaki, kielbasa, zeppoles and other carnival goodies until midnight on the Central Mall.
ALTERNATIVE VIEWS
Gorman estimates that about 100,000 people will be watching the fireworks from a location other than Jones Beach. Many do so from their own boats in local marinas or rafted up in Zach's Bay. But the South Shore is dotted with county, town and village parks offering second-tier views of the fireworks across Great South Bay:
Wantagh Park: Thousands are expected to congregate south of the swimming complex here, where concessions will remain open during the fireworks. Arrive by 6 p.m., says county spokesman David Ring.
Cedar Creek Park: When Wantagh Park fills up, cars will be directed to this nearby park in Seaford.
Tobay Beach: Just east of Jones Beach in Massapequa, it'll stay open until 11 p.m. for the long view.
Waterfront Park: In Freeport, this park at the end of South Long Beach Avenue offers free parking and a good view.
