Fourth of July Alternative Activities

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:57:06 +0000

Say you’re not a Boston Pops/outdoor concert/hordes of people kind of guy or gal. Many aren’t, so there’s no need to feel bad. Fortunately, Boston has a lot of other events scheduled for tomorrow’s Fourth of July holiday, and the ones listed below have two essential things in common: they’re all free and family friendly.

Friends of Fort Point Channel Summer Concert Series

Ice cream maker Hood will provide free frozen treats to attendees who show up for the weekly music concert. At noon on July 4th, tunes will come courtesy of Moussa Traore during the Music of Mali presentation. [Fort Point Channel, Boston Children's Museum, 300 Congress Street, Boston, 617-451-9239]

Boston Harborfest 2008

A Flag Raising Ceremony and Parade will last from 9am–10am, followed by a Reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State House from 10am–10:30am. See the event website for various other possibilities, a number of which have an admission fee.

Pillsbury will also offer free desserts at Harborfest from 9am–5pm and everyday through Sunday as part of its nationwide Campaign for a Sweeter America. Pictures with the world-famous Doughboy are complimentary, as well. [City Hall Plaza, Boston, 617-635-3911]

Movies by Moonlight

At dusk, which translates to roughly 8pm–10pm, the luxury waterfront Boston Harbor Hotel will screen the classic 1939 film Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, directed by legendary Frank Capra and starring legendary James Stewart. [Boston Harbor Hotel, Intrigue Café, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, 617-439-7000]

Have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July!

Photo: Oscar Rohena

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Today is Children’s Day at Boston Harborfest

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:01:47 +0000

Boston Harborfest 2008 is the perfect place to be for anybody seeking more history and patriotism during this Fourth of July week. Today’s 14th Annual Children’s Day makes that especially true for younger members of the family, thanks to numerous fun and educational free activities scheduled just for kids.

From 10am until 3pm at Boston’s City Hall Plaza, children will be able to enjoy assorted carnival-style entertainment provided by the agency Fly by Night, listen to youth-oriented music from Wayne Potash and the Music Fun Band, and take advantage of familiar festival staples like face painting and balloon art.

If the children have a good enough time, they might even be willing to return on one of the remaining days of Harborfest, which will feature a variety of live concerts, as well as Saturday evening’s four-hour Party on the Plaza and Sunday’s ever-popular Chowderfest.

Visit the Boston Harborfest website for additional details.