4th of July, A Capitol Fourth, Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, fireworks, Fourth of July, Independence Day, Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, TV
June 28, 2017
On July 4, 2017, the Independence Day traditions of entertainment and fireworks will take place in numerous cities. Here’s a rundown of what to expect from the three biggest televised events.
A Capitol Fourth
Location: West Lawn in Washington, D.C.
Telecast start time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time on PBS
Acclaimed country music singer and songwriter Kellie Pickler, Grammy-nominated gospel legend Yolanda Adams and Broadway star and two-time Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes are among the announced performers at the 2017 edition of A Capitol Fourth. Pickler, an “American Idol” alum, “Dancing With the Stars” champion, and star of the hit TV show “I Love Kellie Pickler” will perform “This Land is Your Land” and “Small Town Girl” from her gold-certified debut album. Adams, one of gospel’s seminal voices, will perform “Battle Hymn of the Republic” with Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music. Osnes will be featured in a patriotic medley and will also perform alongside the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags during the fireworks finale.
Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer John Stamos will host “A Capitol Fourth,” featuring performances by: soul men Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi of The Blues Brothers; iconic multi-platinum selling music legends The Beach Boys, with special guests John Stamos (drums) and Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath (vocals); legendary Motown stars The Four Tops; country music star and Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry Trace Adkins; “The Voice” Season 12 winner Chris Blue; and multi-talented actress and singer Sofia Carson; with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Location: East River in New York City
Telecast start time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC
Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Hailee Steinfeld are scheduled to perform at the 41st annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. Additional acts to be announced. Akbar Gbajabiamila, Matt Iseman and Kristine Leahy from NBC’s Emmy-nominated “American Ninja Warrior” join as hosts.
The 41st annual Macy’s 4th of July firework display over the East River will feature an incredible pyrotechnic spectacle, igniting the skyline with more than 60,000 shells launched from five barges positioned in midtown Manhattan. It will be the country’s largest firework display in over a decade and promises to be a must-see show from coast to coast. The awe-inspiring light show will be accompanied by the West Point Band and Glee Club and their awe-inspiring musical tribute, “Anthem,” featuring vocalists Heather Headley, Craig Campbell, Jamie Barton & the USO Troupe of Metropolitan New York.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
Location: Charles River Esplanade in Boston
Telecast start time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Bloomberg
Melissa Etheridge, Tony-winning “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom Jr. and Andy Grammer are the headliners for the
2017 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, under the direction of Keith Lockhart. In addition, Alan Menken, the iconic American musical theater and film score composer best known for his scores for films by the Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Tony Award-winning lyricist Jack Feldman are composing a new work, “The Sum of Us,” for soloist, chorus, and orchestra, to receive its world premiere at Boston’s famed Independence Day celebration. Alix Steel, co-anchor of “Bloomberg Daybreak Americas” on Bloomberg Television and Carol Massar, co-anchor of “Bloomberg Markets” on Bloomberg Radio, will co-host the 2017 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, with additional reporting by Matt Miller, co-anchor “Bloomberg Markets: European Open” on Bloomberg Television.
The traditional fighter jet Military Flyover in coordination with the “Star Spangled Banner,” will open the evening’s Boston Pops program, and a spectacular 20-minute fireworks show designed by Grucci Fireworks, and accompanied by the music of the Boston Pops and other popular music of the past and present, will bring the celebration to an end. This year’s Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will also showcase the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, along with the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums, adding their own special patriotic flair to the day’s festivities. The program will also spotlight musical selections from the Boston Pops’s recently released album, “Lights, Camera…Music! Six Decades of John Williams.”