Boston Pops, musical guests dazzle during annual Fireworks Spectacular

BOSTON (WHDH) - The Boston Pops, headliner LeAnn Rimes, and other musical guests dazzled the tens of thousands of guests who swarmed the Esplanade on Friday to ring in the Fourth of July at the Hatch Shell.

Before a packed crowd both on the Esplanade and on the water, the musical performances set the stage for a massive fireworks display as America celebrates its birthday, a treasure to those who happened by.

“It’s safe and good, and memorable,” said Cathy Collmeyer. “Yeah, a lot of good things.”

Soldiers from the Massachusetts Army National Guard set up four howitzers, three which were used to fire off blanks on the banks of the Charles during the fireworks spectacular, set to a classical piece by Tchaikovsky.

The Pops Fireworks Spectacular has been a Fourth of July tradition since 1974. Soldiers from Charlie Batter, First Battalion of the 101st Field Artillery Regiment are making sure they’re ready.

To get the timing right, there will be a couple of people reading sheet music during the 1812 overture. One of them, the son of the famed Pops Conductor Arthur Fielder, cuing the howitzers.

Sergeant Matt Jodin, of Beverly, cherishes this event, and his family watches him fire off the howitzers.

It’s a tremendous honor to get the ability to do this every year,” said Jodin. “I’m truly grateful that they picked out unit to partake in this every year. I will always sign up for these events, as much as I can.”

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