Across the country, most July 4th celebrations are silenced or canceled entirely. In 2020, tradition will have to wait.
The Boston Pops, the orchestra of the United States, is silent this July 4. Its iconic spectacular fireworks have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Keith Lockhart, the conductor of the Pops, has been in charge for 25 years. Lockhart said archiving the concert live and showing a recorded performance is the right decision.
“This is definitely not your typical Fourth of July,” said Lockhart. “It seems like a year where we really need this concert, we really need to come together and it’s extremely frustrating not to be able to do that.”
The pandemic and the resulting closure has affected performing arts and artists at all scales.
Communities across the country are canceling or returning traditional fireworks. Macy’s replaced its “spectacular” with “secret”, hosting 5-minute “unannounced” fireworks shows.
At New York City’s Rockaway Beach, New Yorkers said it was not the same. “I love Fourth of July,” said a beach buff. “Fourth of July is a big problem for me, under the Brooklyn Bridge. I’m going to miss it.”
However, on this July 4, 2020, there is still a tradition, but in a non-traditional way. The new American citizens took an oath to drive in a Detroit parking lot.
In Washington, those new citizens include Janis Shinwari, a translator who saved the lives of five American soldiers in Afghanistan.
“Join me in congratulating Mr. Shinwari,” said United States citizenship and immigration officials.
New York City opened its beaches just in time for this vacation, with park department staff handing out masks. People told us that it was good to just “get out” and that they were happy to comply with the distancing and masking guidelines.
.
