Five Best Places for July Fourth Fireworks and Concerts

Washington, D.C.  – The Washington Monumnent is the back-drop for the fireworks on the National Mall, starting at 9 p.m.  2010 is the 30th anniversary broadcast of A Capitol Fourth by PBS.  The show starts at 8 p.m. EST, hosted by  by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits, with performances from some of the country’s biggest musical names.  The list includes  country music superstar Reba McEntire legendary R & B artist Gladys Knight, country music sensationDarius Rucker, American Idol star  David Archuleta(American Idol), and actor and singer John Schneider, and  world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Boston – Country music superstar Toby Keith is the headline entertainer for Boston’s July Fourth concert and fireworks, which includes the Boston Pops Orchestra, of course, including a rousing performance of The 1812 Overture, complete with the musical equivalent of canons.  There’s also a concert on July 3rd, but without fireworks.  It’s all  happening on the Esplanade along the Charles River. The national broadcast of Boston’s Fourth of July festivities begins at 10 p.m. EST, with the fireworks display at 10:30.

New Orleans — This city knows how to party any time of year, and the Fourth of July is no exception.  Party central is in the French Quarter, with marching bands and music until the wee hours, and the traditional “Dueling Barges” fireworks display just off shore.  The party may be tempered a bit by the disastrous BP oil spill, the worst environmental disaster in US history that’s affecting the lives and income of everybody along the Gulf Coast.  But as I’ve said before, that’s all the more reason to visit the resort communities and cities along the Gulf now, when they need your tourist dollars to survive.

• Why You Should Travel to the Gulf Coast Now Despite the Oil Spill
• 18 Beaches the BP Oil Spill May Ruin Forever

Lake Tahoe –  Incline Village pulls out all the stops with a multi-day celebration and fireworks, called Red, White and Tahoe Blue. Elsewhere in North Lake Tahoe, both Kings Beach and Tahoe City have fireworks, July 3 and July 4, respectively, and Truckee hosts  a Firecracker Mile fun run July 4.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

by Evelyn Kanter