Many Roosevelt Island residents are outraged over the way the Roosevelt Island
Operating Corp (RIOC) handled last Wednesday’s online ticket registration for
viewing the July 4 Macy‘s Fireworks Celebration at FDR Four Freedoms Park.

As reported Wednesday, June 30:

At 1 PM today, the
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp
(RIOC) opened
online ticket registration for July 4 Fireworks
viewing celebration  at the
FDR 4 Freedoms Park. Last Monday, RIOC announced that
1500 tickets would be available
and added yesterday:…

… By 1:03 PM today, tickets were
no longer available.….

….
I asked if residents
received tickets. Among the
responses:

• Who do these tickets go to? I logged on at 12:59 to check and it said it
  wasn’t available yet. When I logged on exactly at 1pm, and clicked
  register it said the tickets were no longer available.
• Smells fishy, or at least not well executed. No way these tickets went to
  residents only

I managed to snag a pair. I had my finger on the button at 12:59p and my info was preloaded. I figured they’d go in minutes. This really should be a residents priority event.

— NamelyNorm (@NamelyNorm) July 1, 2021

 Later that day I asked RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith:

How many total tickets were available for the July 4 FDR Park Fireworks
viewing online registration today?

RIOC said on Monday there were 1500 tickets but the Eventbrite registration
page said only 1100 tickets were available.

Which number is accurate? Why are the numbers different?

Also, are there any tickets distributed through sources other than the
online registration process?

If yes, how many tickets and what are those other sources?

RIOC replied yesterday:

Over the course of 20 years, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC)
has provided safe, enjoyable, and accessible opportunities to view the
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. In so doing, RIOC has proudly
partnered with community stakeholders such as FDR Four Freedoms State Park
and Cornell Tech, among others, to optimize viewing experiences for this
event. However, RIOC also has an obligation to maintain the health and
public safety of its community and visitors alike. And, in order to do so,
certain public safety controls such as ticketing, wrist-banding, security
checkpoints, cooling stations, and first-aid must also be in place to ensure
a safe and enjoyable experience within FDR Freedoms State Park and the lawns
at Cornell Tech.

As such RIOC reserves the right to limit capacity in an effort to accomplish
this mandate. And, despite rumors that have circulated in the community,
RIOC has not, and does not reserve tickets for staff. 

We understand that this limited capacity will disappoint some residents who
were unable to secure tickets to the FDR Four Freedoms State Park portion of
the viewing event. But we encourage non-ticket holders to enjoy the lawns at
Cornell Tech, as viewing of the fireworks will be possible at these
locations. Additionally, attendees of the lawns at Cornell Tech will have
full access to all event amenities including food trucks, restrooms,
security checkpoints, first-aid, and cooling stations. 

We wish you all a safe and happy fourth of July!

I followed up asking RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith: 

… I think most  people understand the need to limit ticket capacity
for health and safety concerns.

What gets residents upset is that the online ticket registration process is
sold out after 2 minutes and that no process was set up to give Roosevelt
Island residents priority for the tickets as has been done every year in the
past.

Any comment from RIOC on that issue?

Also:

How many total tickets were available for the July 4 FDR Park Fireworks
viewing online registration today?

RIOC said on Monday there were 1500 tickets but the Eventbrite
registration page said only 1100 tickets were available.

Which number is accurate? Why are the numbers different?

Also, are there any tickets distributed through sources other than the
online registration process? Does FDR Park, NY State or any other entity
have an allotment of tickets?

If yes, how many tickets and what are those other sources?…

No response from RIOC. 

I learned today, not from RIOC, that tickets (number currently unknown) were given to the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association and Roosevelt Island Seniors Association for distribution to their members. 

It’s interesting to note that the Macy’s July 4 Fireworks info page is discouraging people from visiting Roosevelt Island and Hunters Point South Waterfront Park, both prime viewing spots, 

to watch the fireworks.