Boston’s annual July Fourth extravaganza is just about here, but the gates will be opening four hours later due to the dangerous heat we’ve been experiencing.
This year’s Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, scheduled for 7-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, is expected to be bigger than ever as part of the ongoing celebration of America’s 250th birthday, with performances from Lainey Wilson, Chance The Rapper, Trombone Shorty and Megan Hilty, with Jane Lynch serving as host. The free event will conclude with a fireworks display illuminating the Charles River and choreographed with music performed by the Boston Pops, beginning at 9:15 p.m.
Because of the heat, though, people are being held off the Charles River Esplanade until later in the day this year, officials announced at the security and preparation news conference on Thursday.
“Because of the extreme heat forecast, the esplanade gates will open to the public at 4 p.m. It was previously scheduled for 12 p.m.,” Secretary Gina Kwon of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security said. “This is an area that does not get any shade at all, so we are trying minimize the time people will be camped out baking in the sun.”
“That will make a difference. The less time you spend out in the hottest part of the day, and the highest sun exposure,” said Boston EMS Chief James Hooley. “Some of that’s just physics.”
Temperatures are expected in the 90s for Saturday’s display, and public health officials are stressing the importance of celebrating safely, drinking water and finding shade.
Organizers are opening the gates four hours later to combat extreme heat Saturday.
The City of Boston is also hosting a series of events on Saturday, July 4, including an Independence Day Parade at 9 a.m. starting at Copley Square, a reading of the Declaration of Independence form the Old State House Balcony at 10:15 a.m. and an Independence Day Oration at Faneuil Hall at 11 a.m., featuring special guests including Nathaniel Sheidley, president and CEO of Revolutionary Spaces; award-winning writer and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates; and Imari Paris Jeffries, president and CEO of Embrace Boston.
The FBI and Massachusetts State Police say there are no credible threats as they pivot from World Cup to July Fourth celebrations. As in years past, there will be checkpoints to access the Esplanade and the Hatch Shell, and law enforcement will be out in force.
