New Yorkers celebrate Independence Day

New Yorkers on Sunday celebrated Independence Day with a comeback of traditional festive activities conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. household retail brand Macy's staged its traditional fireworks display from five barges positioned on the East River in Midtown of New York City.

Touted as the largest Independence Day celebration, the 45th annual fireworks show had more than 65,000 shells launched on Sunday evening, according to Macy's.

Meanwhile, the celebrations also featured patriotic classical music with the guest performance by The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers' Chorus.

Macy's presented small displays of fireworks without announcing locations a year ago to avoid crowds.

This year, however, organizers designated multiple viewing areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.

"The Fourth of July celebration will be unprecedented once again, but this time for all the right reasons. Its size, spender, and hopefully, its crowds," said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The 111th Travis 4th of July Parade was held on Staten Island of New York City around Sunday noon.

The organizers of the parade asked participants to wear masks and practice social distancing while the parade in 2020 was modified to a smaller size amid the pandemic.

The Nathan's hot dog contest for 2021 was also held on the occasion of Independence Day in Coney Island of New York City before a live audience, while the contest in 2020 took place only with the presence of media in a private location.

LaGuardia Airport located in New York City presented a Water Feature show at Terminal B at the weekend featuring laser projection, lighting and patriotic music.

Local authorities stepped up precautionary security measures and required spectators of the firework display to go through metal detectors over concern about domestic terrorism and violence.

The Empire State Plaza in New York State's capital city Albany was also lightened up by fireworks on Sunday evening with a comeback of crowds.

Most COVID-19 restrictions in New York State were lifted in mid-June as 70 percent of adults in the state have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines.