Massachusetts State Police ordered the evacuation of the Charles River Esplanade, where thousands of people were gathered for the annual Boston Pops July 4th Fireworks Spectacular, because of a storm. The evacuation was ordered just before 6:30 p.m., and lasted for nearly 40 minutes before people were allowed to return to their seats near the Hatch Memorial Shell. During that time, heavy rain fell from a storm that moved from northwest to southeast across the city. Crowds quickly began to return to their seats. The emergency alert message said the concert and fireworks would be delayed. The Pops concert was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.StormTeam 5 tools: Radar | Map Room | Alerts | FuturecastThe evacuation announcement was made while actress and comedian Jane Lynch was speaking with reporters, alongside Gov. Maura Healey and Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, about the upcoming show. Soon after, the emergency warning was distributed to phones and posted on signage beside the Hatch Shell.Weather had already affected the usual routine of the beloved Independence Day tradition. Organizers delayed the opening of the lawn in front of the Hatch Shell from noon to 4 p.m., because of concerns over the sweltering heat. When the lawn finally did open, it didn’t take long for thousands of fans to move in and claim their seats. “It’s always an amazing sea of America out there in front of me, it has been for all these years,” conductor Keith Lockhart said, laughing. “I’m amazed at how fast it filled up too. And hopefully way beyond that, all the way down both sides of the Charles River, we’ll see people celebrating with us.” Chance the Rapper, Lainey Wilson and Trombone Shorty will take the stage as guest artists, along with conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, for the annual July 4 concert.The beloved conclusion of the show, with the fireworks over the Charles River, will be notably different than in past years. Watch below: Beating the heat and celebrating the Fourth of JulyAccording to the program, that includes the Boston Pops’ plan to introduce a Revolutionary-themed drone show during the annual performance of the 1812 Overture.Next, this year’s fireworks will be choreographed to live music.With the bombs bursting in air, the Pops plans to play “Summon the Heroes” by John Williams, an arrangement of Dropkick Murphy’s “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” and the world premiere of a commission called “Spirit of America” by James Stephenson.Attending the spectacularPublic access to the Oval lawn in front of the Hatch Shell opened at 4 p.m., according to the Pops. Concessions will be available for visitors on the Esplanade. All MBTA buses, subway trains and ferries will be free after 8:30 p.m. Friday. The MBTA also plans to run additional trains for most of the day to accommodate holiday travel.The MBTA said most of the final Commuter Rail trains of the night will depart North Station and South Station as scheduled between 11:30 p.m. and midnight.If the fireworks are delayed, the MBTA said trains will depart up to 30 minutes after the fireworks conclude.The Pops said the LEGO Group, which recently moved to Boston, will assemble a giant American Flag from chunks of blocks pre-assembled at four local libraries.ICYMI: Here’s a replay of Boston’s Fourth of July fireworks display
BOSTON —
Massachusetts State Police ordered the evacuation of the Charles River Esplanade, where thousands of people were gathered for the annual Boston Pops July 4th Fireworks Spectacular, because of a storm.
The evacuation was ordered just before 6:30 p.m., and lasted for nearly 40 minutes before people were allowed to return to their seats near the Hatch Memorial Shell. During that time, heavy rain fell from a storm that moved from northwest to southeast across the city.
Crowds quickly began to return to their seats.
The emergency alert message said the concert and fireworks would be delayed. The Pops concert was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
StormTeam 5 tools: Radar | Map Room | Alerts | Futurecast
The evacuation announcement was made while actress and comedian Jane Lynch was speaking with reporters, alongside Gov. Maura Healey and Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, about the upcoming show. Soon after, the emergency warning was distributed to phones and posted on signage beside the Hatch Shell.
Weather had already affected the usual routine of the beloved Independence Day tradition. Organizers delayed the opening of the lawn in front of the Hatch Shell from noon to 4 p.m., because of concerns over the sweltering heat.
When the lawn finally did open, it didn’t take long for thousands of fans to move in and claim their seats.
“It’s always an amazing sea of America out there in front of me, it has been for all these years,” conductor Keith Lockhart said, laughing. “I’m amazed at how fast it filled up too. And hopefully way beyond that, all the way down both sides of the Charles River, we’ll see people celebrating with us.”
Chance the Rapper, Lainey Wilson and Trombone Shorty will take the stage as guest artists, along with conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, for the annual July 4 concert.
The beloved conclusion of the show, with the fireworks over the Charles River, will be notably different than in past years.
Watch below: Beating the heat and celebrating the Fourth of July
According to the program, that includes the Boston Pops’ plan to introduce a Revolutionary-themed drone show during the annual performance of the 1812 Overture.
Next, this year’s fireworks will be choreographed to live music.
With the bombs bursting in air, the Pops plans to play “Summon the Heroes” by John Williams, an arrangement of Dropkick Murphy’s “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” and the world premiere of a commission called “Spirit of America” by James Stephenson.
Attending the spectacular
Public access to the Oval lawn in front of the Hatch Shell opened at 4 p.m., according to the Pops. Concessions will be available for visitors on the Esplanade.
All MBTA buses, subway trains and ferries will be free after 8:30 p.m. Friday. The MBTA also plans to run additional trains for most of the day to accommodate holiday travel.
The MBTA said most of the final Commuter Rail trains of the night will depart North Station and South Station as scheduled between 11:30 p.m. and midnight.
If the fireworks are delayed, the MBTA said trains will depart up to 30 minutes after the fireworks conclude.
The Pops said the LEGO Group, which recently moved to Boston, will assemble a giant American Flag from chunks of blocks pre-assembled at four local libraries.
ICYMI: Here’s a replay of Boston’s Fourth of July fireworks display