Thursday, March 28

A Fourth of July tradition returns to the Esplanade, and so do the crowds


Once gates opened at noon, shady spots and benches along the Esplanades went fast. Spectators dodged the afternoon sun with tents, canopies, and umbrellas.

Rose Brayboy of Roxbury dances along to the music on the Fourth of July ahead of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

”There are three rules: we don’t talk about fight club, we don’t talk about Bruno, and we don’t talk about Fourth of July plans,” said TC Jones IV, who was the first person in line at the Hatch Shell.

While Jones wouldn’t say quite how early he arrived — “it was dark, let’s just say that” — he and his companions said they’ve been regulars at the Boston Pops event for decades, waiting for hours to ensure a place on the grass for the concert later in the evening.

Around him was a group of several other diehard fans, many of whom he’s become friends with over time. He drove in from Virginia; others came from Ohio and around Massachusetts. They recalled that one year, people in their group came in from 14 different states.

Security was tight and police were everywhere: officers with dogs, officers on foot, officers on bikes, officers on jet skis. Marked vehicles demonstrated the range of law enforcement agencies on: Boston Police, Massachusetts State Police, New York State Police, National Guard. Humvees and vehicles with shovels blocked off roads leading to the Esplanade. Coolers without wheels were allowed past security, backpacks were not.

Samm Schinker doesn’t remember the first time they came to see the Boston Pops. At almost 21 years old, Schinker is a veteran of the festivities and has been a regular visitor since first attending when they were less than a year old.

Since then, the Ohio native has only missed four years of the annual shindig: once for a wedding, once for a family trip to the Grand Canyon, and twice because the pandemic shut it down.

“The energy of it can’t be beat,” Schinker said. “The only thing that will stop me from being here is death. Y’all can hold me to that, too, I will be here until I die.”

Still, Schinker wasn’t sure they were going to come this year. They pointed to recent decisions from the Supreme Court, saying that they felt it was “difficult to celebrate a day of freedom when those freedoms are slowly being revoked.”

”It was a difficult decision to come up because part of me was like, why am I celebrating? But at the same time, being here, I’m not going to want to be anywhere else,” they said.

Their sister, Emily Schinker, said she felt “emotional” as she walked around the Esplanade yesterday while hearing the Pops practice. It reminded her why she came out despite feeling turmoil about recent Court decisions.

”It’s important to remember that we are Americans, and even when we have to fight for our rights every day, they’re worth fighting for — this country, this dream is worth fighting for,” Emily said.

Ben Crockett and Colleen Yee had been camped out since 4 am, and they came loaded with coffee, knowing they had a long day ahead of them.

Unlike many other attendees, however, this year’s festivities were their first. The couple came in from Seattle and planned to celebrate their Fourth of July weekend with family in the city. Their trip to Boston was the first vacation they’ve taken since the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple said.

”We’ve somehow dodged [COVID-19] the last two and a half years so we’re hoping that luck will continue,” Yee said.

Criselda Saladin, 64, has lived in Boston for nearly 30 years after immigrating from the Dominican Republic. She comes to see the Pops every year she can.

“This is my second country, my second homeland,” she said in Spanish. “Every year, I come here to see the fireworks. I’ve been here a while, but every year, I eat.”

Crowds returned to the Hatch Shell for the Fourth of July ahead of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)
Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Cristie Fadner, 43, said seeing Boston’s Fourth of July celebrations has been a “bucket list item.” She was visiting from Washington, DC Kim Hamilton, 56, who was sitting behind her in line, came down from Vermont.

“One of the best parts of this is meeting people from all over the country,” Fadner said.

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Their kids — Emma Fadner, 9, and Finn Hamilton, 12 — were working together on drawing comics in Finn’s notebook.

“This day just brings people together,” said Kim Hamilton.

Gary Miller, 47, said he was glad to see the Fourth of July displays after all the pandemics. He’s seen the fireworks and concert about five times, and his favorite part of it is the music.

“It means a lot to get back out here,” he said. “It’s good to celebrate with everybody once again.”

Joe Petruzzella, 59, was selling Richie’s Classic Italian Ice. Demand was slow early in the day, so he leaned on the cart while he watched Richie’s son play wiffle ball. Two members of the National Guard briefly join in to help pitch.

“People are celebrating,” Petruzzella said. “It’s nice to be out in the fresh air.”


Anjali Huynh can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @anjalihuynh. Kate Selig can be reached at [email protected].




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