Fireworks displays were held across the state Tuesday to honor essential workers and celebrate the 70% critical vaccine milestone reached.

Long Islanders gathered at Jones Beach to watch the fireworks and celebrate.

"I think it's awesome," says Barbara Hirten, of Lindenhurst. "I love fireworks and I think that's such a nice thing."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the fireworks are also a big, bright statewide thank you to the essential workers who kept working during COVID.

"You want to honor essential workers, I'll tell you how you honor essential workers, you get vaccinated, so you don't need the essential workers again," says Cuomo.

Other fireworks displays across the state included New York City, Nyack and the Hudson Valley.

For Dr. Nicolas Hernandez, of Plainview, it's been a tough year. Hernandez says he doesn't consider himself a hero because he signed up to be in the medical profession.

Hernandez himself battled COVID-19, then his wife got sick. He also lost his grandfather and mother-in-law to the illness.

"Mother's Day, Father's Day, you know all these big holidays that have happened since they are gone has been very, very tough," says Hernandez.

The governor hopes the fireworks displays bring some light and joy to those who helped us all during the pandemic.