DAVID MUGAR PASSES BATON TO THE BOSTON POPS TO PRODUCE JULY 4TH ESPLANADE SHOWS, STARTING WITH JULY 2017 BOSTON POPS FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR

DAVID MUGAR PASSES BATON TO THE BOSTON POPS TO PRODUCE JULY 4TH ESPLANADE SHOWS, STARTING WITH JULY 2017 BOSTON POPS FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR

The Boston Pops and David Mugar, longtime Executive Producer of Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, announced today that, starting in 2017, the Pops will produce the July 4th Esplanade events.  The Boston Pops will also assume management responsibility of Boston 4 Productions, which for 43 years has produced the event. The Boston Pops officially takes over the role of producer of Boston’s annual Independence Day celebration as of today, Monday, October 3.

One of the country’s premier Independence Day celebrations—which annually draws a crowd of more than 500,000 people to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade, along with a broadcast viewership of approximately 4.5 million—will carry on in the same tradition as established by founders David Mugar and Pops Conductor Arthur Fiedler. Going forward, Mr. Mugar, who announced his retirement from his leadership role of the event last spring, will now take on an advisory role. In addition, perennial Executive Producers of the July 4th show, Pamela Picard and Richard MacDonald, will continue to manage the planning and operations under the auspices of the Boston Pops. Following the protocol of all recent July 4 events, the Boston Pops will work closely with local and state officials on all aspects inherent to the success of the event.

“The Boston Pops is honored to take over the leadership and management of one of this city’s most treasured events—the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular—widely recognized as one of the country’s premier Independence Day celebrations,” said Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart.  “Ever since David Mugar and Arthur Fiedler founded Boston’s modern-day July 4 celebration 43 years ago, the Boston Pops has played an integral role in producing what has become one of the largest live concert events in the world.  In addition to David, who will serve as an advisor, and the involvement of veteran July 4 Executive Producers Pam Picard and Rich MacDonald, all of us at the Boston Pops look forward to working closely with the Governor’s and Mayor’s offices to provide continuity to the event and make sure it moves forward in the style and scope to which our fellow Bostonians and visitors from around the country and across the globe have become accustomed.”

“I am very pleased that the baton has been passed to the next generation,” said David Mugar.  “The Pops will be outstanding stewards of a Boston tradition and I know for certain will lead the event into new chapters of success.”

“Thanks to David Mugar’s leadership, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular has been a signature event of our great Commonwealth for the last 43 years,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am thrilled to say that going forward the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular—this country’s greatest Independence Day celebration—is in excellent hands as the Boston Pops takes over the reins starting with the upcoming 2017 celebration.”

“We are incredibly grateful to David Mugar and the Boston Pops for committing to the stewardship of this signature Boston event,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Boston plays a special role in the story of our nation’s founding. As a city we take tremendous pride in our legacy of hosting America’s most impressive Independence Day celebration, welcoming people from across the state and country who travel here to celebrate this holiday. We look forward to next year’s Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, and continuing to work in partnership with the Pops team to ensure the continuation of this cherished tradition.”

For a brief history of the Boston Pops July 4 celebration, click here.