A tradition since 1976, the Macy's fireworks display has been a beloved part of America's Fourth of July celebration for nearly 50 years and features a dazzling array of rockets that light up the New York City skyline in a show like no other.

In the weeks leading up to the holiday, Gary Souza and around 60 fellow pyrotechnicans are focused entirely on finalizing the 49th annual Macy’s show. But they are not strolling along the Brooklyn Bridge where it will take place, nor are they balancing aboard one of the four barges in the East River that will supply additional launch points.