Fantasy:

Sleep in, putter around all day, and get to the Esplanade around 5-ish

Park close to the venue so that you can easily get to your car

Pack a lovely picnic basket with all the fixin's

Teeter around in adorable wedges you just bought from Zappos

Spend a romantic moment together watching the fireworks show

Reality:

Get up at the crack of dawn and drag your butt into the city

The gates to the Hatch Shell open at 9 a.m., but people start lining up much earlier than that in hopes of getting the best seat in the house: right in front of the Hatch Shell, in perfect view of the Boston Pops and, of course, the fireworks display. 

Keep this startling number in mind:  you will be just one of hundreds of thousands of people setting up shop here.

There is no parking. Anywhere.

Parking does not exist anywhere on Storrow Drive, which runs parallel to the Esplanade.  And, frankly, it also doesn’t exist anywhere nearby, either. 

Spare yourself the anguish and drag your tents and coolers and whatnot onto public transportation to get to the event.  After it’s over, you’ll be spared the fury of being stuck in gridlocked traffic when you just want to get home.

Drag 2 coolers on wheels, lounge chairs, and a suitcase full of clothes and toiletries

Although the show itself is two and a half hours (a two hour concert and a half hour firework display), being there early in the morning means that you’ll be pretty much living on the Esplanade all day long.  So, like a good Scout, come prepared.

Although there are concessions at the event (cash only!), save some coin by bringing plenty of water and snacks.  Don’t forget things like suncreen and bug spray – and, one of those portable rain jackets is always a good idea.  Because you just never know.

Just note: if you plan on sitting in the immediate area in front of the Hatch Shell (known as the “oval”), collapsible chairs and tarps no larger than 5’ by 7’ are allowed.  So, pack accordingly.

Throw on sneakers and socks and bring a pair of flip flops

Sadly, July 4th is not a fashion show.  It’s probably going to be hot out, and you’ll be sitting on your butt all day long, so looking cute will end up being the last thing on your mind.  Specifically when it comes to shoes. 

Not only do you really have no idea where you’ll end up parking yourselves on the Esplanade (and, as a result, how far you’ll be from everything), but taking public transportation means walking, walking, walking.  So do yourself a huge favor and put on some comfortable walking shoes.

See a great show sandwiched between a screaming, overtired child and a sweaty drunken college student

Remember how I told you hundreds of thousands of people would be at this thing?  Yep.  That’s a lot of people.  So let go of any left-hand column fantasies about rolling around on the grass or skipping through the trees and understand that you will need to be patient and conscious of knocking elbows with overly excited and sometimes grumpy spectators.  Hey, maybe you’ll make some new friends.

But, really, it IS a great event

The Boston Pops put on a fantastic show, and always have big-name acts performing along side them as they entertain the crowd.  Hearing their version of the 1812 Overture is as the fireworks blast is definitely goosebump-inducing. 

Some say that it’s the best fireworks display in the country.  And I can see why.