A rainy Fourth of July in Boston -- that included a temporary Esplanade closure due to the possibility of more severe weather -- didn't prevent thousands from gathering along the Charles River Tuesday night for the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. The Esplanade was a sea of red, white and blue -- plus a lot of rain jackets.
The beloved annual Fourth of July tradition, which is open to the public and free, featured music by the Boston Pops and special guests -- including LOCASH, En Vogue, and Mandy Gonzalez -- starting at 8 p.m.
"Happy Fourth of July 2023," said Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart. "I'm so excited to be back on the Esplanade."
"We're so excited to be here, working with the Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart," En Vogue said.
"It's such a beautiful tradition, that I'm happy that the Gonzalez name gets to be part of it this year," Gonzalez said.
"Boston is one of our biggest fan bases that we have," Chris Lucas of LOCASH said.
The amazing performances were followed by a 10:30 p.m. fireworks display at the Hatch Memorial Shell. The fireworks were obstructed by cloud cover and fog, but many in attendance said they were just thankful that the show went on as planned.
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People were briefly evacuated earlier Tuesday during intense downpours with state police concerned about lightning, but security checkpoints into the Esplanade were reopened around 5 p.m. and visitors were allowed back in to watch the highly-anticipated concert and fireworks.
"We thank the public for their patience during this temporary restriction," state police said in a tweet.
State police had previously temporarily suspended entry onto the Esplanade for the Fourth of July event, saying they wanted to have fewer visitors on hand in case they needed to evacuate the venue due to lightning. All entry gates were closed and state police said they would reopen when it was safe to do so.
Just before 3 p.m., the PA system on the Esplanade told people to collapse their tents and seek shelter. While many listened, some remained as storms continued to approach the area.
The showers Tuesday did test some people's patience but ultimately there was no raining on people's parades this holiday. With rain jackets, umbrellas, blankets and even tents, people made it work and said the performances were well worth it.
“We are cold, we are wet, but it is worth it because we have such good seats,” one woman said.
“We had to get under one of the green park benches that have shelters in them. We stood under there for an hour and a half. Mandy Gonzalez, if you see this, I stood an hour and half in the rain for you!” another attendee shared.
All in all, it was a night to remember, and the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular was nothing short of just that, a sentiment echoed by people as they filed out of the venue late Tuesday night.
MBTA Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green announced last week that fares on buses, subways and commuter rails would be free after 9:30 p.m. on the holiday.
Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper had said Friday that this event is the culmination of hard work and strategic planning to ensure everyone can celebrate the birth of our nation in front of the Hatch Shell.
Tepper also said that staff would be working around the clock before, during and after the event to ensure the park is in "excellent condition."
The Director of Artistic Planning for the Boston Pops Dennis Alvis said they are mindful of how precious our democracy is, adding that the Boston Symphony Orchestra is deeply honored to host this annual patriotic celebration and to bring our community together through the power and joy of music.
Massachusetts State Police Colonel John Mawn gad called the event one of his agency's "preeminent missions" of the entire year.
"The footprint of this venue and its unique physical features including winding paths, a wide promenade, several bridges, flanked by a roadway and a river, ensure any security mission has equally unique challenges," Mawn said Friday addressing security measures. "This team of joint law enforcement and public safety agencies have met that challenge in the past, and we rise to meet it again this year with a multi-tiered, carefully thought-out, rigorous operations plan."
Col. Mawn had said that attendees could expect to see many uniformed troopers, police officers, DCR members and members of the National Guard. K-9 teams will also be on site, as will marine units and the air wing.
Additionally, Mawn said that intelligence operations were ongoing behind the scenes.
"These professionals have been gathering and analyzing information for weeks, scouring the intelligence for any potential threats for this event," Col. Mawn said. "I’m happy to say currently we’re aware of no credible threats."
Representatives from the local FBI office and Boston EMS also spoke last Friday, emphasizing their presence and work at the event.
Here's a list of items that are allowed and not allowed at the concert and fireworks show from state troopers:
PROHIBITED ITEMS
1. Coolers on wheels.
2. Backpacks.
3. Firearms, weapons, sharp objects.
4. Fireworks.
5. Glass containers.
6. Cans.
7. Pre-mixed beverages.
8. Plastic containers over two liters and non-transparent plastic containers. All liquids must be carried in sealed, clear plastic containers two liters or smaller.
9. Grills, propane tanks, open flames.
11. Alcoholic beverages
12. Bicycles in the Oval and Island/Lagoon areas. (Bicycles are allowed throughout the rest of the venue but must not be left unattended. Bicycles attached or locked to fences, poles or other objects are subject to removal.
13. Drones/unmanned aerial vehicles.
ALLOWED ITEMS
1. Pop up Tents/Canopies with no sides, maximum size 10' x 10'.
2. Blankets or tarps no bigger than 10' x 10'.
3. Folding/beach chairs only.
4. Coolers carried by shoulder strap or single handle (no wheels).
MSP has also released a list of restrictions for pedestrians, drivers and parking in the Esplanade area ahead of the big event.
Here's a complete look at the impacts:
July 2, 2023
12:00 a.m.
1. The Lynch Family Skate Park parking area will be closed.
7:00 a.m.
1. Right hand travel lane of Storrow Dr closed (for delivery drop off and production purposes)
2. Esplanade walkway adjacent to the Charles River closed to pedestrians and bicyclists from the area of Community Boating to the Fiedler Footbridge. All pedestrians and bicyclists will be directed to the Paul Dudley White multiuse path adjacent to Storrow Dr until approximately 3pm, July 3.
3. NO parking on Mugar Way from Arlington Street to Charles Street until 6:00 a.m. on July 5th. All vehicles remaining will be removed.
4. Mugar Way will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic until 1:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m.
1. Memorial Drive will be closed from Western Ave to Gerry’s Landing for Riverbend Park.
7:00 p.m.
1. Memorial Drive will reopen from Western Ave to Gerry’s Landing.
July 3, 2023
9:00 a.m. (Or At A Time To Be Determined By The Incident Commander):
1. The right travel lane on Storrow Drive westbound will be closed from the Longfellow Bridge to the Fielder Footbridge for permitted bus parking. Traffic will continue westbound on Storrow Drive.
2. There will be no public parking along Storrow Drive for either the rehearsals or the concert.
3:00 p.m. (Or At A Time To Be Determined By The Incident Commander):
1. Storrow Drive westbound will be closed to vehicular traffic from Charles Circle to the Bowker Overpass. All Storrow Drive westbound traffic will be diverted to Charles Circle. Storrow Drive westbound traffic may re-enter Storrow Drive via Charles Street to Beacon Street via the westbound entrance at the Bowker Overpass.
2. The exit to Arlington Street from the Storrow Tunnel (eastbound) will be closed until 6:00 a.m. July 5th.
3. Mugar Way at Beacon Street closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This will remain closed until the early morning hours of July 5th. Pedestrians will be directed to Berkeley Street for entrance to the Esplanade.
4. Berkeley Street at Beacon Street closed to vehicular traffic.
5. Storrow Drive eastbound will be closed and detoured at the Bowker Overpass. It will remain closed until July 5.
July 4, 2022
9:00 a.m.
1. No parking on Memorial Drive (either side) from #450 Massachusetts Avenue to the Longfellow Bridge. All vehicles remaining after this time will be removed.
2. No parking on Cambridge Parkway.
3. Access to Storrow Drive westbound from Leverett Circle to Kenmore Square (Bowker Overpass) will be closed to traffic.
4. The inbound bus (right-side) lane on Charles River Dam Road will close from Museum Way to Leverett Circle.
5. The Storrow Drive exit ramp in the Tip O’Neil Tunnel will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles.
6. The Leverett Circle entrance to Storrow Drive westbound will be closed. Traffic will be allowed to travel on Msgr. O’Brien Highway to Cambridge and Martha Road to Boston.
7. The following Storrow Drive on and off ramp closures will remain in effect from July 3rd:
▪ Berkeley Street
▪ Charlesgate Area (heading eastbound)
▪ Bowker Overpass from Park Drive and the Fenway
▪ Charles Street Circle (heading westbound)
8. No Parking at Magazine Beach and Magazine Pool, Riverside Boat Club, and the MWRA pumping station (Cottage Farm). No boat launching in this area.
9. Fanny Appleton pedestrian footbridge at Charles Circle going to the Esplanade is closed.
10. Fiedler Footbridge from Beacon Street going to the Esplanade is closed.
11. The Longfellow Bridge and Mass Ave (Harvard) Bridge stairs will be closed.
3:00 p.m.
1. No access to Storrow Drive westbound from the Kenmore Square (Bowker Overpass).
2. No access to Storrow Drive westbound from the Beacon Street on-ramp under the Bowker Overpass.
3. Storrow Drive eastbound will be detoured at University Avenue.
4:00 p.m.
1. Memorial Drive closed to vehicular traffic in both directions from Massachusetts Avenue to the Longfellow Bridge.
2. Main Street, Cambridge from Third Street to the Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic.
3. Ames Street from Main Street to Memorial Drive, Cambridge, closed to vehicular traffic.
4. Wadsworth and Amherst Streets, Cambridge, closed to vehicular traffic.
5. Land Boulevard from Binney Street to Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic.
6. Hayward, Carlton, Charlotte’s Way and Dock Streets in Cambridge, closed to vehicular traffic.
7. Access allowed to 1 Memorial Drive only with issued permit.
8. Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic. Bikes and pedestrians will be allowed to cross the bridge.
9. The Longfellow Bridge will be closed to bikes and pedestrian traffic from approximately 9:00 p.m. until the end of the fireworks. NO fireworks viewing from the Longfellow Bridge will be allowed.
10. Massachusetts Avenue (Harvard) Bridge closed in both directions to vehicular traffic from Beacon Street in Boston to Vassar Street in Cambridge. Bikes and pedestrians will be allowed to cross the bridge.
11. The Massachusetts Ave (Harvard) Bridge will be closed to bikes and pedestrian traffic from approximately 9:00 p.m. until the end of the fireworks. NO fireworks viewing from the Massachusetts Ave (Harvard) Bridge will be allowed.
12. Memorial Drive from Massachusetts Avenue to the BU Bridge closed to vehicular traffic. Vehicular access will be allowed for patrons going to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Hyatt patrons will be directed to the Vassar Street road closure.
13. Vassar Street in Cambridge from Massachusetts Avenue to Memorial Drive closed to vehicular traffic. Access will be allowed for residents and Hyatt patrons.
14. Cambridge Parkway closed to vehicular traffic (except: it will remain open to vehicles with handicapped placards/plates only). All vehicles must be removed from Cambridge Parkway by 1:00 a.m. on July 5th.
Approximately 10:30 p.m.
1. The Craigie Bridge by the Museum of Science will be down from approximately 10:30 p.m. on July 4th until 1:00 a.m. on July 5th to allow uninterrupted motor vehicle traffic.
2. Smaller boats that can pass under the bridge while in the down position will be allowed to pass.
All closures subject to change at the discretion of the Incident Commander
Miscellaneous
Parking for Persons with HP Placards/Plates- July 4th:
1. At 3:00 p.m., The Ride will begin shuttle service from Mass Eye & Ear parking lot to the Hatch Shell Oval. This service is for vehicles with HP placards/plates only. Vehicles without HP placards/plates will not be admitted into to the lot. (Entrance for Mass Eye & Ear parking lot is via Charles Circle.) NOTE: Early-arriving vehicles with HP placards/plates will be allowed to enter the lot after 12:00, but The Ride will not begin shuttle service to the Hatch Shell Oval until 3:00 p.m.
2. The Mass Eye & Ear Parking Lot will close when the allotted parking area at the Mass Eye & Ear Parking Lot is filled, or at 6:00 p.m., whichever occurs first.
3. Handicapped parking will also be accommodated on Cambridge Parkway.
Clean-Up:
1. Clean-up begins 30 minutes after the fireworks display has concluded.
2. All roadways will remain closed until clean-up and labor crews are safely removed.
Interstate 93:
1. Viewing of fireworks display from I-93 is prohibited and dangerous. There will be troopers assigned (Troop H / H9, SP Tunnels) to this area to strictly enforce “No Stopping.”
