Freedom! NYers celebrate end of COVID-19 lockdowns on Fourth of July

New Yorkers declared their independence from COVID-19 lockdowns on Sunday by heading to beaches, parks and prime spots for watching fireworks — free of the fear, social distancing and masks that wrecked last year’s July Fourth.

In Manhattan, New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike arrived early to get onto the FDR for the pyrotechnics set to start at 9:30 p.m.

“It’s on my bucket list, watching the Fourth of July fireworks in New York City,” said Kathy Gaherty, 63, of Connecticut.

“I got here around 12:30 p.m. I’ve been exposed to so much and there are so many things I want to do before I die.”

Gaherty, a retired paralegal, said she previously “watched the fireworks live on TV.”

“I came in yesterday [and] enjoyed the city,” she said.

“I love seeing this operation — people coming together, working in their respective areas to help create a patriotic event like this for the world.”

Murray Hill resident Chris Vitale, 17, said he felt “really good” being outside, although he admitted it was “so odd seeing people without masks.”

“Last year, I stayed inside alone and watched TV,” he said.

“This year I get to party with my fellow New Yorkers. Liberty!”

Another Murray Hill resident who identified himself as Suresh B., a 51-year-old Indian immigrant who works in finance, said he was “elated” that he could “spend tonight with my family and friends — freely.”

“We’re gonna gather on my rooftop tonight, drink Champagne and Budweiser, and celebrate freedom, no pun intended,” he said.

“America is the best — COVID-free.”

Some waiting for the dazzling sky show said they were glad the NYPD was responding to the city’s surge in shootings by using metal detectors to screen people for weapons before letting them onto the closed highway.

“During these celebrations, there are always crazy people lurking in the shadows,” said a woman who identified herself as Laurie M., 30, of the Upper East Side.

“I think it’s better and also, since everyone has access to a gun in NYC, better safe than sorry.”

Maria Sotto, 55, of Staten Island, called the safety plan “perfect.”

“I won’t be looking over my back,” she said.

“There is facial surveillance too, I hope. New York’s security is top-notch, especially in Manhattan.”

At Coney Island, Shannah Eggers, 32, of the Upper West Side, said she spends the Fourth of July on the beach but “this year seems to be a little different.”

“Everyone is happier to be here than other years,” she said.

“It’s like, you might get frustrated with all the people under normal circumstances, but now it’s like ‘Oh, all these people!’”

Joe Mannino, 53, of Bay Ridge, said, “It feels great. It feels normal. That’s the thing I like about it. You get back to normal when you’re not cooped up in your house.”

“Last year it was dead, everything pretty much closed up, you had to stay home,” he said.

“But now, you’ve come out, you see the different people, the sun is out –– you can’t get better than this.”

Earlier, a crowd of nearly 5,000 watched as champion eater Joey Chestnut gobbled down 76 franks and buns — beating the record 75 he set last year without a live audience — in just 10 minutes at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

His feat, which seemingly gave a patriotic nod to the nation’s founding in 1776, easily bested second-place finisher Geoffrey Esper by 26 dogs.

In Brooklyn’s WNYC Transmitter Park, Chinatown resident Hilary Tunstal, 30, was sitting with her husband on the lawn along the East River ahead of the fireworks show.

“I think this year they are going to do a lot to kind of make up for the lost time,” she said.

“It will feel nice to have a sense of community out here again. It’s nice to see everyone having fun and just relaxing and a lot less stressed out than it has been.”

Washington Pro, 44, of Dover, N.J., was picnicking nearby with his girlfriend and her mom and cousin after arriving around 10 a.m. for his first-ever Big Apple fireworks.

“I grew up in the city and never really cared about it, but this year I feel like it had to be done after living through such an experience of the last year,” he said.

“Take advantage of what you can.”

Meanwhile, the holiday weekend is expected to generate more than $100 million in movie ticket sales, with each of the Top 10 films raking in more than $1 million for the first time since before the pandemic, Deadline reported.

Just three franchise releases — “F9: The Fast Saga,” “The Boss Baby: Family Business” and “The Forever Purge” — are expected to account for nearly $72 million in box office receipts from Friday through Monday.