City of Chicago celebrates New Year’s Eve with ‘biggest fireworks display’ at Navy Pier despite COVID spike

“Because the river is such a great setting and you can get that great view, you can do some fun things with fireworks in a way that makes the whole river comes to life”.

Murray is coordinating an elaborate fireworks display for the city that will stretch 1.5 miles from Wolf Point on the Chicago River to the lake, with eight different launch points across the river and bridges. The program will be synchronized and choreographed according to the music.

And after a year of dealing with the pandemic, many Chicagoans and tourists are looking forward to some sort of normalcy.

Lisa Allyn said: ‘We’re so glad it’s going back to the family.

Even as the number of COVID cases continues to spike, city leaders say they will launch fireworks to celebrate the new year – but safety will remain a priority. All attendees must have proof of vaccinations or test negative within the past 72 hours. Regardless of vaccination status, everyone will be required to wear a mask indoors.

However, some people feel it is safer to watch on television.

“I think it’s pretty cool, but honestly, I’d watch it on TV. If I could stay up that late,” said Jamilah Paddock.

Health experts say you can safely enjoy New Year’s Eve, and wearing a mask is one of the most important ways to do so.

“Keep that distance so you don’t exchange air with people who might want to share a gift you don’t,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

City officials believe the fireworks display is important to the hotel industry in the city as restaurants and hotels both expect large numbers of guests. The show will last about five minutes along the river, but it will continue a little longer at the east end at Navy Pier, home to restaurants and hotels.

However, they are still urging people to celebrate safely.

Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar said: “New Year is a special time for all of us, it’s important for the city to give everyone an opportunity to celebrate but do so in very safe ways. .