Boston Pops - July 4th Concert

My tween daughter and I visited Boston this week and were able to take in the July 4th concert at the Hatch Shell. This is very, very doable - as long as you are prepared in advance.

1. There is a morning security process where you are given wrist bands. Most routes to the hatch shell were closed off and we were directed to walk and stand on line at the Storrow Drive entrance.

2. The wrist bands are distributed at 9am. We arrived at 8:15am and that was absolutely fine for us. There was a very long line - about two blocks long - and at the very beginning some people had been camped out since the night before. Everyone in line was seated on the ground as they waited.

3. Just before 9am, security let the first block of people through to the Oval staging area. We got in with the second group at about 9:15am. At the Oval - your bags will be searched, and then marked with tape and you will have a security check as well. Then we were given the wrist bands. There is no charge to see the concert, or enter the grounds.

4. Once you have your wrist band, you are good for the day. They recommend coming back no later than 5:30pm.

5. We had a small blanket with us. We walked ahead to the Hatch shell and got an excellent spot about 6 rows back from the stage. The people who had camped overnight hopefully had first row or wherever they wanted to be, but there was hardly a difference from the first row to the first except obviously it was slightly closer.

6. We left our blanket spread out - and went sightseeing for the day. We returned at 6pm and the blanket was exactly as we had left it. I asked our "neighbors" and they said they also had gone out for the day.

7. Starting in the morning, there was a snack bar - which took credit cards, and kiosks which took cash. There is also a really nice playground between the Oval and the Hatch. Most people had books with them, or playing cards, as they waited for the 8pm concert to begin. Everyone was welcome to bring their own food but no alcohol.

8. The concert is televised. Starting at about 7pm they do last minute sound checks - and even tested the cannons for the finale. It's interesting to watch not only the concert, but the "behind the scenes" preparations during the commercials.

9. Make sure you grab a program which is in boxes back my the snack bars.

10. You should be aware that there isn't a formal "ending." - People seemed to leave at the end right before the fireworks started - because you really can't see them from inside the shell. We stayed until the end of the program - we sat on the side nearest the water, closer to the canon end. So we could see the canons go off, and in the distance we could see the fireworks. I was told that the MIT lawn has excellent views. Once the televised program is over, the fireworks continue with DJ patriotic music on booming speakers. As you walk back out of the Oval, you'll hear all of it and see the fireworks through the trees.

11. In the morning we were there for probably about an hour. At night we were there from 6pm to about 10pm .

I would gladly do all of this again, it was an excellent experience. I particularly loved the audience - they appreciate Music. They weren't there to drink or smoke - they were there to hear perfectly done performance, and to celebrate the patriotic atmosphere.