Watch CBS News

Audience To Help Boston Pops Choose 4th Of July Playlist

BOSTON (CBS) – This year's Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will feature a new twist that allows viewers to interact with the performance whether they're at the Hatch Shell or on their couch.

Photos: Boston Celebrates 4th of July

The Boston Pops, led by maestro Keith Lockhart for the 20th year, are introducing an interactive feature that allows people to vote by text message what they want the musicians to play during the show.

The "Pick the Pops Playlist" feature will take place two times during Saturday night's 4th of July performance.

Audience members will be able to text a key word for the song of their choice to 84816. Song selections will be shown during the television broadcast and on the big screen at the Esplanade.

Read: WBZ-TV Anchor Lisa Hughes Delivers Independence Day Oration At Faneuil Hall

Voting will be tallied in real time and results will be shown on the screen and then announced by Lockhart.

"There are few concerts that I've conducted that come close to the thrill of leading the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular for the greater Boston community and visitors hailing from far and wide, all of whom gather together on the Esplanade to celebrate one of our nation's most important holidays," said Lockhart.

For more information on the new voting system, tune in to WBZ-TV's coverage of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, hosted by Lisa Hughes and David Wade beginning at 8 p.m.

The fireworks spectacular will also be available to a national and international audience online at BostonPopsJuly4th.org and CBSBoston.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.