BOSTON (WHDH) – Local and state police and fire departments were patrolling the Charles River Esplanade Thursday as crowds poured in to watch the 2024 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.
Boston firefighters scanned the area near the Hatch Shell by land and by water, with crews on fireboats in the Charles. Massachusetts State Police troopers also kept watch over the area, with both uniformed and plain-clothed officers in the mix.
Thursday’s Fireworks Spectacular will begin at 8 p.m. with musical performances at the Hatch Shell.
The area opened to the public at 12 p.m., and security checkpoints surrounded the Esplanade.
Prohibited items include wheeled coolers, backpacks, firearms, weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, glass containers, cans, and alcoholic beverages, according to the show’s guidelines. Bicycles are not allowed through the checkpoints into the Oval or Island/Lagoon areas, but are allowed throughout the rest of the venue.
An in-depth list of prohibited items can be found here.
However, guests are allowed to bring pop-up tents and canopies with no sides (maximum size 10 feet by 10 feet), blankets and tarps no bigger than that size, folding and beach chairs, and coolers carried by shoulder straps or a single handle.
Personal items must be carried in clear bags, small clutch bags and purses are allowed into the venue after inspection. All liquids must be carried in sealed, clear plastic containers no larger than 2 liters in size.
On Tuesday, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen said officials are not aware of any specific or credible threats targeting the Fireworks Spectacular.
State troopers gathered near TD Garden Thursday morning before heading to the Esplanade.
“Beyond crowd control, our plans include investigative, tactical, and intelligence resources that can respond to any situation at a moment’s notice,” State Police said in an X post.
In addition to the Boston Pops, the slate of musical performers will include Broadway star Kelli O’Hara, rock and country group The Mavericks, singer Darlene Love, and the Singing Sergeants from the U.S. Air Force Band. Fireworks will begin over the Charles River at 10:30 p.m.
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will be broadcast on 7NEWS. The show is produced by and also airing on Bloomberg TV and Bloomberg Radio. It is sponsored by Herb Chambers.
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