PHOTOS: Fabulous Fireworks Despite Short Interruption

Crowds on the Esplanade were temporarily evacuated for fear of rain, but returned to a great show.

Although the Boston Pops concert was briefly interrupted as organizers took to the stage tell people to evacuate because of impending rain, the show was back on within an hour and the fireworks started at their planned time.  The announcement to leave the open areas of the Esplanade came around 9 p.m. as lightning was advancing on Boston, but no storm came as people waiting in the Storrow tunnel, Hynes Convention Center, Boston Common Garage, MIT buildings and elsewhere. By 10 p.m., revelers got the green light to head back to the river.  However, just as Jennifer Hudson began to sing, and the fireworks started, so did the rain. Still, crowds were delighted with the show in spite of a few drops of rain.  The mood on the Massachusetts …

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What's Open, Closed on the Fourth of July

Restaurants and supermarkets are open, but libraries and post officers are closed.

Restaurants, bars: Open Convenience stores: Open Supermarkets: Open Retail stores: Open at owners discretion Liquor stores: Open City services (schools, library, post offices): Closed Banks: Check with your financial institution Boston Parking: Meters are free. Be aware of road closures for the July 4th Celebration at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade. Street Sweeping: Suspended during the day, but nighttime schedules remain in effect.  Trash: If your normal trash day is Wednesday, it's delayed one day if you live  in South Boston, Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury. But JP residents, if your trash is picked up twice a week, there's no change.

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Hatch Shell Celebration Schedule

Everything you need to know about the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

Traffic & Parking: Tall Ships this Weekend & Fourth of July

Streets will be shut down and parking restricted throughout the city from Fri, June 29 - Wed, July 4.

The Massachusetts State Police, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Transportation, and the Massachusetts Port Authority Police announce the following traffic and parking restrictions for state roads and reservations for two upcoming events, the 1812 Bicentennial Event and the July 3-4 Esplanade celebration. As heavy traffic is expected, visitors to the events are urged to use public transportation whenever possible. FRIDAY, JUNE 29 (US Navy ships expected to arrive in Boston) South Boston NO PARKING will be allowed on the following DCR Roadways in South Boston from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.: The MBTA will run shuttle buses from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from the JFK/UMass Red Line station to Castle Island. The bus fee is $3 …

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Jennifer Hudson Headlines Fourth of July Celebration at the Hatch Shell

From Boston Pops-backed fireworks to porta-potties, here's all you need to know to plan your Independence Day festivities July 3 and 4.

Jennifer Hudson will headline the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular during the city's 39th annual premier Independence Day celebration. The fun starts Tues, July 3 at 6 p.m., with a concert at 8:30 p.m., followed by more festivities on Wed, July 4 as thousands of people from across the country will flock to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade for live music, food, and of course, fireworks. The Oval (the area in front of the Hatch Shell) opens at 9 a.m. Wednesday with entertainment throughout the day and into the evening. Other performers include Michael Chiklis, Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops, and performances from the Broadway hit MAMMA MIA! as the city goes all out with cannons, military plane flyovers, …

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4 Killed, 9 Wounded Around Boston in Weekend Violence

Police say many of the attacks were gang-related.

The holiday weekend was a particularly violent one for Boston. Four people were killed and nine were wounded in attacks throughout the city. A young woman was also raped on the banks of the Charles River in Brighton during the city's Fourth of July celebration.  Many of the weekend shootings appear to be gang-related, and the mayor held an emergency meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss ways to avoid more bloodshed. "It's so frustrating," he told reporters. (You can read more here in the Globe about the press conference.) Police commissioner Edward F. Davis told reporters that violence can spike on holiday weekends because of heavy drinking at parties, where people often bring guns. On Tuesday police published a list of crimes that took …

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