Fourth of July in Boston: Tips for Planning the Ultimate Holiday Weekend

If you’re in Boston this summer, one of the biggest events in town is the city’s Fourth of July celebration. Hundreds of thousands of people will visit the city to watch the fireworks, hear the Boston Pops play and head to significant historical sites.

It can be hard to navigate all that is going on, but we’ve collected some tips from local news agencies to help you plan the ultimate holiday weekend.

Planning on heading to the Esplanade for the fireworks extravaganza? These tips from CBS-Boston will be vital in helping you plan!

1.  Come prepared.

In New England, the weather can change from minute to minute. Currently, the weather is looking a bit rainy on July 4, but that could change in the next few days.

But no matter what the forecast, be sure to go prepared for nearly any weather phenomena. Bring lots of layers- the day may be sweltering, but the nights can be cold. Sunscreen, sunglasses and hats are also must-bring items, and this Fourth of July a rain jacket or umbrella might be a good choice, too.

2. Getting there.

Public transportation is the best option when it comes to getting to Esplanade. The two closest T-stations on the Boston side are Charles-MGH on the Red Line and Arlington Street on the Green Line. The trains will be running late, and the MBTA is expected to offer free rides home after 10 p.m., as they have done in years past.

If you plan on driving to the Esplanade be prepared for road closures and little parking. If you absolutely must drive, CBS-Boston suggests parking at 210 Stuart Street or the 100 Clarendon garage.

No matter how you get there you will have to do some walking, so wear comfortable shoes!

3. What else to bring.

There will be cash-only concessions stands around the Esplanade, but bringing some food of your own is also a good idea. No coolers on wheels will be allowed into the park, so all of your perishable items must fit in a cooler that can be carried on a shoulder strap or single handle.

Bring LOTS of water, but keep in mind that all liquids must be carried in sealed clear plastic containers, which cannot be larger than 2 liters. Pack some plastic cutlery, paper plates and napkins if your food requires it.

Don’t forget to pack some entertainment, either. If you’ll be waiting for the show all day, you’ll want some comfortable chairs and blankets to rest your feet, and maybe some books, magazines, card games and sports equipment to pass the time. Bring cameras and binoculars for the best view of the show, and don’t forget your patriotic gear!

4. What NOT to bring.

Backpacks, shopping bags, coolers on wheels, fireworks, grills, propane tanks and firearms, to name a few. All personal items must be carried in clear bags only.

Alcoholic beverages, glass containers, cans, and sharp objects will also be confiscated. Bags will be checked for anyone entering the Oval.

After 4pm, nothing will be allowed through the security checkpoints expect chairs, tarps or blankets than are 10’x12′ or smaller.

And don’t plan on bringing your pet if you want a good view from the Oval. Only service animals will be permitted.

CBS-Boston shared a full list of banned items that will be helpful when planning your day:  Full List of banned items (.pdf)

For more great tips– including where to watch and when to get there, check out the full CBS-Boston planning guide.

Not interested in braving the crowds? There’s plenty of other events going on in Boston this holiday weekend, like free duck boat rides from July 3-5!

That’s because the iconic Boston Ducks Tours will be offering free rides from July 3 through July 5. I repeat: Free Boston Duck Tour rides!

The rides are sponsored by Yoplait Greek yogurt, and riders (who won’t need to pay the regularly $35 ticket) will be able to participate in the Yoplait Greek Taste-Off, comparing the yogurt to Chobani Greek yogurt flavors.

Read through this BostInno article to learn more about getting tickets.

And don’t forget to check out the many significant historical sites in Boston this Fourth of July. From the Freedom Trail to Paul Revere’s home, there’s plenty of United States history to take in.

Have a great holiday weekend!

 

British School of Boston Student Heads to National History Bee in Atlanta

For Year 8 student Ilya Rudyak, a plane to Atlanta, GA this weekend will feature not an in-flight movie or a flip through Skymall, but a quick review of World War I, World War II and other major historical events.

“I think I know World War II the best,” he said Tuesday, discussing his study plans as he prepares to compete in the middle school National History Bee this Saturday.

Ilya and Year 9 student Tomas Navarro both qualified to complete in the National History Bee at a regional competition on April 16. 

They and BSB students Michael Gankin and Sebastian Eklund completed at Melrose Middle school against nearly 70 other students from across Massachusetts.

Tomas elected not to attend the National History Bee in Atlanta this weekend, but Ilya will be there to represent BSB.

And while he said he does not plan on spending hours preparing for the competition- having done well in the regional competition with little preparation outside of classroom learning- he is looking forward to the experience.

“I’m excited to go to Atlanta,” he said. “I think it will be fun.”

The competition will focus on U.S. history and world history from the last 5,000 years.

Ilya will compete against students from around the U.S. to win a $5,000 scholarship. In addition to the competition, students who qualify for the finals are invited to take part in “The Great History Hunt,” part-scavenger hunt and part-social gathering that gives participants the opportunity to win prizes and meet other history-lovers from all over the country!

Congratulations to Tomas and Ilya, and good luck to Ilya in the competition!

BSB students (from left) Tomas Navarro, Michael Gankin, Ilya Rudyak and Sebastian Eklund pose at the regional finals of the National History Bee on April 16.

British School of Boston Students Qualify for National History Bee

Two British School of Boston middle school students were selected Tuesday to represent the school in the National History Bee, held in Atlanta, GA in June.

Four BSB middle school students competed this week at Melrose Middle School in the Massachusetts Regional Finals for the bee. BSB students Ilya Rudyak and Tomas Navarro were selected to move on the national competition.

BSB students (from left) Tomas Navarro, Michael Gankin, Ilya Rudyak and Sebastian Eklund pose at the regional finals of the National History Bee Tuesday.

Ilya, a Year 8 student, said the qualifying bee on Tuesday was “challenging and intense.”

“You could almost hear the hearts of the competitors beating,” he said.

BSB students Michael Gankin and Sebastian Eklund joined Ilya and Tomas in competing at the History Bee Tuesday. The four students were selected to represent the school after getting the top scores in the school’s inter-mural history competition in January.

They sat a regional qualifying exam and received scores high enough to compete in the regional final Tuesday against nearly 70 other students from schools across the state.

Four rounds of competition were held at the regional finals, and students were questioned on U.S. history and world history from the last 5,000 years.

A typical question was: “This ruler forced one of his followers, Seneca, to commit suicide for his role in the Pisonian Conspiracy, and a rebellion led by Vindex may have led him to commit suicide. What Roman emperor supposedly “fiddled while Rome burned” in 64 AD?” The answer, of course, is Nero!

Students had to be quick on the buzzer and sure of their answer as four incorrect interruptions would result in disqualification.

For Tomas, it was the format of the competition itself that was often the most challenging part of the event.

“It was tough,” he said.  “Not only did you need to know the answer, you had to press the buzzer faster than the other seven players”.

Ilya and Tomas will now move on the National History Bee Finals being held in Atlanta, GA on June 6-8. The two will compete against students from around the U.S. to win a $5,000 scholarship.

In addition to the competition, students who qualify for the finals are invited to take part in “The Great History Hunt,” part-scavenger hunt and part-social gathering that gives participants the opportunity to win prizes and meet other history-lovers from all over the country!

And Ilya and Tomas are not alone in their history accomplishments. Next weekend, from April 25-27, BSB Year 13 student Nate Warner will represent the school at the National History Bowl finals in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations and good luck to all of our students!