Boston Pops Concert. Lovely.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a seat on the Promenade, the grassy park extending along the Charles River. People start lining up at 6 a.m. to get into the free extravaganza by the Boston Pops. And afterwards – oh afterwards…. the crowds on the subway. Has anyone seen Fantasia? The animation for Rhapsody in Blue shows a bunch of squished people hopping out of the subway – and they don’t separate. They just go on hopping out, squished together as if gorilla glued. Well, the crowds after the fireworks coming outa the T – people have been trampled – people have DIED (ok, that probably hasn’t happened…. yet), but my point in all this is really that the Fourth of July is Boston’s possession. They own it. Nobody can touch Boston for its patriotic 4th and festivities, not even D.C..
I never really explained properly what’s going on right now. We’re watching the Boston Pops 4th of July Concert on TV, live as it happens a few miles to the right of me. The weather is cool and humid. I’m sure they’re having a blast, sitting by the cool river, surrounded by the glow of strobe lights and watched over by the twinkle of stars and city windows. But, as I said, you have to get up at 5 a.m. to get a seat on the Promenade.
Websites have given a few suggestions on where to watch the nation-famous Boston fireworks display.
- 1.) Get on the Red Line T at exactly the right time. Apparently, the drivers stop the train on the bridge over the Charles to watch the fireworks which are set off from barges on the river.
- 2.) Go to Castle Island, and you can see fireworks from 3 TOWNS!
- 3.) Climb up Bunker Hill, and you’ll know why the British wanted to take it. The climb is worth it for the great view!
- 4.) If you have connections, climb up on top of an MIT building.
- 5.) The best would probably be kayaking on the Charles directly beneath those glorious fireworks. Magical. But be ready to dole out the cash.
Now let’s just concentrate oooooon:
BEING PATRIOTIC!
Go home – have fun being patriotic. Sing national anthems, and think of how our nation has been blessed. Remember all our history – remember the newness of our country and the potential it has to grow better and more beautiful in the future.
Farewell.
Farewell.
Farewell.
(I’m going to Arlington to watch fireworks on a hill now. See ya!)