The Boston Pops

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (1974–2016)

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is annually performed by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra on the banks of the Charles River at the Esplanade (sometimes referred to by locals as the "Oval") of the Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston, Massachusetts, every Fourth of July. It was made locally famous in 1974, during which local philanthropist David G. Mugar approached legendary Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler about adding cannons and fireworks during the performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's famous "1812 Overture" as well as fireworks and confetti to end John Philip Sousa's march "The Stars and Stripes Forever". It was a success, and they repeated it in 1975 and 1976, when it was made nationally famous, and even earned a spot in the 1976 Guinness World Records for having the largest audience for a classical concert since the book's founding in 1955. It's grown since the Bicentennial, and has earned a place in local traditions ever since.