Boston's 4th of July. Patriotism to the Max!
Written: Jul 22 '01 (Updated Jul 22 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: The crowds if you want to be with 100,000 of your closest friends.
Cons: The crowds if you've got claustrophobia.
The Bottom Line: Prepare yourself for VERY large crowds. Your rewards are magnificent music and glorious fireworks.
|
|
|
| virgo10's Full Review: Boston |
Just seeing the festivities on TV does not do the Esplanade extravaganza justice. You have to be there.
I have only attempted going to the actual concert once. Because we arrived in the late afternoon, the closest we got to it was a major expressway type road (Storrow Drive). The city closes it down for the day so that people can wander here and there. The area in front of the Hatch Shell, where the Pops concert is actually held, is usually filled by mid morning.
The fanatics arrive as early as 1 a.m. to take part in the run for the best seats. This is a completely separate event that takes place at 6 a.m. when they open up the Esplanade gates. Folks come from all over with tents, flags and umbrellas to spend the whole day on site. There is a mad rush rivaling the Indy 500 and the Running of the Bulls. Their reward for such foolishness is the prime viewing spot for the concert. Having no luck getting near the Esplanade myself, I have opted to take part in the festivities in Cambridge with much greater success.
Our new vantage point actually gives you a better view of the fireworks than you would have if you were directly in the thick of the crowd. The Hatch Shell, where the orchestra is located, is surrounded by trees. The view, at best, is moderately obstructed. Happily, several years ago, the city put in several enormous screen TV's with multiple speakers on the Cambridge side of the river. Now all can watch the festivities.
It seems not to matter to most folks that they are watching the concert on a TV. People sing, clap and wave flags the same as the ones across the river. Applause is long and heart felt.
After the concert, which this year included Debbie Reynolds, Arlo Guthrie and Cindi Lauper, fireworks fanatics get ready to be taken to Nirvana. Beginning with the 1812 Overture, which also includes live cannon fire and ringing church bells, you are transported away to a pyrotechnic paradise. 30 solid minutes of fantastic fireworks and all are synchronized to music. This year's choices were magnificent beginning with the Theme from 2001 right thru Great Balls of Fire. The crowd's favorite seemed to be Girl's Just Want to Have Fun as Ms. Lauper did not sing that during the concert and many people were very disappointed.
Several years ago the song "Can't Live if Living is Without You" was part of the fireworks display. The mix of that music with the incredible pieces they sent up made it absolutely the best individual fireworks display I've ever seen!
OK, now the show is over and it's time to go home. Rule #1: Always use public transportation! There are several convenient subway stops located on both sides of the river. Another plus about being in Cambridge is they have to stop there first if you are going south of Boston. For the casual MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority) traveler, this may appear like a horror show. But just take a deep breath and go with the flow. Disney World people will feel right at home as people jams are the norm on this night.
Once you've made it to the "T" station, things proceed in fairly short order. Extra trains are in service to get people back home as quickly as possible.
Boston on the 4th of July will inspire, thrill and leave you wanting more. It's fun, it's free and everyone's invited!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
virgo10
|
|
Location: Brockton, MA USA
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 4 members
About Me:
My family, Disney World and my cats fill up my days.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.