Boston Pops To Produce July 4th Esplanade Shows

BOSTON (CBS) – Starting next year, the Boston Pops will take over the production of the July 4th celebration on the Esplanade.

David Mugar, the longtime executive producer of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, retired after this year's show. Mugar says he is "very pleased that the baton has been passed to the next generation."

The Pops will also assume management of Boston 4 Productions, which produced the show for 43 years.

"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," Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart said.

Every year more than half a million people come to the Hatch Shell to see the fireworks and hear the Pops perform.