The annual fireworks show of the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition,  co-sponsored by New York City Councilmen  Jimmy van Bremer and for the first by by newly-elected Costas Constantinides, drew the usual “oohs: and “ahs” from spectators who came from all over the City who lined up at East River’s edge in Astoria Park.

Residents fortunate enough to have balconies or root tops from which the half-hour show could be seen missed out on the first half of the program, a delightful concert by the Queens Symphony.

Constantinides, who is the first Greek or Cypriot elected to New York’s  City Council, called it “unifying event for the community and an economic boom for the neighborhood.”