July 3, 2009 Boston Pops 4th of July preps underway Play video

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - The soggy set up was underway at the Hatch Shell Friday morning in preparation for the 4th of July celebration.

Neil Diamond will headline the annual Boston Pops celebration on the Esplanade Saturday night.

The Grammy Award winner arrived in Boston just in time for Friday morning's sound check.

The singer was delayed getting into New England Friday night due to the bad weather.

An estimated 500,000 people were expected to line the banks of the Charles River for Saturday's concert and fireworks display -- rain or shine.

Gates open at 6 a.m., for those planning to try to score a spot on the coveted lawn.