State Police temporarily suspend entry due to storms
State Police temporarily suspend entry due to storms Custom Weld Mesh
The latest entertainment headlines, delivered straight to your email inbox.
State Police temporarily suspend entry due to storms
Massachusetts State Police temporarily closed the security checkpoints allowing access to the area in front of the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the annual Boston Pops July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular amid approaching storms.
"This is being done so that if we do have to evacuate (the) venue in case of lightning, fewer visitors will have to be evacuated," state police said in a statement.
People on the Esplanade were urged to leave and seek shelter, however it was not a mandatory evacuation and some spectators did choose to stay.
An emergency alert was sent by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to cellphones across parts of the greater Boston area, warning about the approaching weather and need to take cover.
"MEMA issued a Wireless Emergency Alert at the request of the event Unified Command Center to inform spectators at the Esplanade of severe incoming weather," a statement from a MEMA spokesperson said. "The initial message did not contain location-specific information; a correction was made, and a new message was sent within two minutes."
Cameras overlooking the Hatch Shell saw the big screen displaying a message: "Severe weather alert, please take shelter."
Police said the security checkpoints were reopened into the Esplanade around 5 p.m. "We thank the public for their patience during this temporary restriction," state police said on social media.
Video: How Boston Esplanade spectators reacted after push to evacuate amid storms
While storms impacted spectators during the afternoon, the rain was expected to stop in time for the performance and fireworks.
Several people, including some who had waited outside for hours, had already staked their claim to a space in the soggy oval field. The gates originally opened for attendees at noon.
Keep an eye on the forecast:
The annual holiday performance at the Hatch Shell is free and open to the public.
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is scheduled to start with the concert at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks beginning at 10:30 p.m.
Law enforcement officials said there are no known credible threats to the high-profile event.
"If you're coming here to have a good time, you're going to be able to do that," said Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Col. John Mawn. "If you're coming here to look for trouble, you're probably going to find it. But in the past, this has been a wonderful crowd of family fun and celebration. I don't expect that to change at all this time."
Officials are reminding spectators that alcohol, drones, wheeled coolers and backpacks are among the items not allowed at the show.
Alongside the Pops, conducted by Keith Lockhart, guest performers will include R&B/soul group En Vogue, Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez and country duo LOCASH.
The orchestra said they are also planning to perform several selections with the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, who will also lead the event's traditional patriotic sing-along.
The 2020 live show was canceled, and the 2021 Fourth of July event featured a pared-down celebration at Tanglewood in Lenox. It returned to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade last year.
9:00 a.m. (Or At A Time To Be Determined By The Incident Commander):
3:00 p.m. (Or At A Time To Be Determined By The Incident Commander):
Parking for Persons with HP placards or plates - July 4th:
Custom Weld Mesh Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.