Spectators, Vendors Deal With Last-Minute Changes For Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular

BOSTON (CBS) - Gather around Boston.

It's like a family reunion this Fourth, rather Third, of July.

"There's no other place to spend the 4th of July or in this case, the 3rd, than in Boston," Scott Webb of Lynn told WBZ-TV as he sat on the Espalande waiting patiently for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular Thursday night.

Webb and the rest of the faithful crowd started arriving at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, despite short notice.

"I got a text message from my cousin Jillian (saying) Scott, the fourth has been canceled. They moved it up to tomorrow and I stood up and said 'Excuse me, I've got to go,'" Webb said.

Stage crews scrambled Thursday morning to get the Hatch Shell ready to rock for everyone who made the pilgrimage.

"I watched it as a child on TV. I watched Arthur Fiedler every year and I always wanted to see it," California resident Jennifer Voight told WBZ.

If you're looking for a front row seat on the oval this year, getting in is a bit different.

Usually people can get in at 9 a.m.

This year, you can't get there until 5 p.m.

"It means I have less to carry," Webb said when asked whether the entry time hindered his plans.

While we're looking on the bright side, the cost of souvenir t-shirts dropped by five bucks.

They're priced to sell at $10 because no dress rehearsal this year means there's only one night to sell.

Other vendors like, Finale desserts, also made adjustments such as rearranging staff at their store and on the Esplanade.

"A lot is preparation especially when the date gets moved up on you. So you have to adjust really quick," said Brian Berry of Finale Desserts.

For revelers, the good times can happen on the 3rd and 4th, rain or shine.

"We couldn't think of a better city to be in for the 4th than Boston," said Riley Nelson of Utah.

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