Final preparations underway ahead of Fourth of July fireworks show in San Francisco
Published: July 3, 2019
From: Fox 2 KTVU
By: Amber Lee
SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) – A summer vacation visiting San Francisco’s Pier 39 and waterfront appeals to many.
The city’s annual fourth of July fireworks show is an added attraction.
“Really love it. I heard that this was going to be happening, so I’m looking forward to it,” says Paul Simmonds who’s visiting from Miami, Florida.
“I’m a veteran. I was in the army. I’m patriotic. I like to salute the flag and enjoy fireworks,” says Jay Roscoe from St. Louis, Missouri.
Along the waterfront, crews are setting up for Thursday night’s fireworks display.
The celebration is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people.
“It’s just the freedom of the whole United States. We get to do what we want to do when we want to, how we want to,” says Wayne Gotcher, who’s visiting from Amarillo, Texas.
In San Francisco, fog is always a consideration. But fog or no fog, the fireworks show will go on.
“We’re going to be out there. Everybody’s going to wave their flags and be happy to be part of America,” says Jeff Thomas, the fireworks show producer with Pyro Spectaculars by Souza.
Also at Fisherman’s Wharf, lots of Irish coffee will be poured on July 4th at Buena Vista, a San Francisco institution.
The staff is preparing for the second busiest day of the year, behind only St. Patrick’s Day.
A manager showed a KTVU crew the 100 cases of Irish whiskey he’s stocked up for the fourth.
He expects to serve up to 4,000 Irish coffees Thursday alone.
“When the fireworks stop, there’s a tidal wave. We actually have to pull out a doorman to stop people because you can’t move in here,” says Larry Silva, manager at Buena Vista.
The restaurant also offers a view of the waterfront and on Thursday, the fireworks.
A show one family from Omaha, Nebraska plans to watch.
“Brings you back to the history lessons we had as children and celebrations in Boston,” says Nar Rabe who’s visiting from Nebraska with her husband and two grandchildren.
San Francisco’s fireworks show is scheduled to start at 9:30pm July 4th and last for 25 minutes.
The show producer says prime watching spots are at the end of Pier 39 and Aquatic Park.
Originally Published: http://www.ktvu.com/news/final-preparations-underway-ahead-of-fourth-of-july-fireworks-show-in-san-francisco