BOSTON — The Boston Pops took the stage at the Hatch Shell for a rehearsal Sunday night ahead of the big 4th of July concert Monday.
Legendary singer Chaka Khan will be headlining the lineup of performers as well.
It’s the first time all the festivities are back in Boston in three years because of the pandemic.
For the first time, the rehearsal was actually closed to the public this year, but they dozens sat as close as they could get to enjoy the show and avoid the massive crowds expected on Monday.
“The research said the last time it was done outdoors, it was half a million people and we thought being somewhere where we can see and hear would be better than the mob,” said Austin Caperton, who came out to watch the full rehearsal Sunday at the Hatch Shell.
“This is new to me and that means every year from now on, I’ll be here on the third,” said Julie Arnheiter. “There’s actually people I think camping, you know, staking out their claim already, which I thought didn’t happen until the morning.”
Some people prefer the real show Monday and plan on getting there early to get a good spot.
“Maybe I don’t get any sleep, but it pays off to get the front row,” said James Barnes, who plans on going to the show Monday.
Streets around the Hatch Shell are already closed down, including a portion of Storrow Drive, as security teams get ready to welcome the crowds.
Caperton, who drove up from West Virginia, says there’s no place like Boston to celebrate Independence Day.
“The whole time today as we’ve been going around and you think about you’re in Boston, where it all started and very emotional to be here today, I mean very emotional – as an American, I think everybody ought to do it,” said Caperton.
The show will go from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Monday July 4 before the big fireworks display along the Charles River.
Gates open at noon Monday. The concert is free and open to the public.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW