NYC to Launch Fireworks on Water

New York City will aim some of its 40,000 shells at the water for its 4th of July celebration. The show, which is billed as the largest in the country, is being sponsored by Macy's.

The fireworks are part of a show with the theme "In Our Children's Eyes," which looks at Independence Day from the perspective of children.

The nautical shells explode on the surface of the water, where the fragments remain illuminated for a few seconds before fading out. The shells will be launched from eight barges on the river and at the South Street Seaport in downtown Manhattan.

Musical performers will appear around the city as part of the nationally televised broadcast, including Joss Stone, Martina McBride, and "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks, along with contestants Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle.

The show was watched by 3 million in vantage points around New York and 8 million on television last year. Numbers for this year's show are expected to be similar.