Massachusetts

Boston Pops, Dynamic Group of Female Performers Wow Crowds at Esplanade

Another 4th of July, another successful Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

The show, which featured performances and fireworks, wowed the crowds Wednesday night.

"I have a lot of really good memories here," said Judy Nunan, who brought her son for the first time.

This year, there was a diverse and dynamic group of female performers, including Newton native Rachel Platten.

"Thank you so much for always supporting me," Platten said during her set.

The Pops were patriotic as always, paying tribute to service members as many people in the audience waved American flags.

As concertgoers arrived at the Esplanade for the show, they were greeted with a lot of security.

Police checked bags at the gate and watched every move from the water and from screens behind-the-scenes. 

There were no known issues ahead of the festivities, but security was heavy.

For first time visitors, however, it was worth the wait.

"We got in line at about 8:30," said a family who headed to the show for the first time. "Everybody says it's hot, and it is. But as long as it doesn't rain, we're happy."

The annual event lit up the Charles River Esplanade Wednesday night, but people got a preview at Tuesday night's dress rehearsal where musical acts were fine tuning all the elements.

Platten performed, as well as the Indigo Girls, Rhiannon Giddens, Rita Moreno and, of course, the Boston Pops.

This year's show featured a tribute to Massachusetts native Leonard Bernstein.

While people took in the music and fireworks, they also had to battle the heat and humidity. And so did the performers.

"We try to take care of all our guest performers and the orchestra on the stage. We make sure everybody stays hydrated and everybody wears sun screen. All the things you'd tell your kids," Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart said.

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