Harborfest and July 4: ‘Boston is back’

Boston is celebrating July 4th with four days of festivities highlighting the Hub’s history, culture and indomitable spirit a year after the coronavirus forced officials to cancel most events.

The celebration got underway Thursday at the Steps of Downtown Crossing, where Acting Mayor Kim Janey and Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, kicked off the 39th Boston Harborfest with a performance by the 215th Army Band and roving re-enactors from the USS Constitution.

On Friday, the DTX Arts and Craft Fair will display the work of local artists in Downtown Crossing. And throughout Harborfest, musicians of all genres will entertain visitors to the area.

People also can walk the Freedom Trail, tour Paul Revere’s house or experience King’s Chapel virtually. There will be no tall ships this year, but visitors can watch the USS Constitution sail through Boston Harbor.

“Boston is the birthplace of American democracy, and Harborfest represents the role Boston played, as well as our rich maritime history,” said David O’Donnell of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Harborfest is a highlight of summer tourism, so not having it last year was a real blow. But we’ve heard from hotels this year that occupancy is strong for the weekend. Boston is back.”

The first of two fireworks shows will light up the sky at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday above Long Wharf.

On Sunday, Harborfest will conclude with Boston’s 245th Independence Day celebration, featuring a short parade from City Hall Plaza to the Old State House for the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The culminating event of the weekend will be a second fireworks display at 10:30 p.m. above Boston Common, rather than the Esplanade, with a live stream of the Boston Pops from Tanglewood.

For more information about Harborfest and Independence Day weekend, visit bostonharborfest.com/schedule/ or bostonusa.com/plan/the-seasons/summer/summer-packages/.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3qGG2fI