City of Boston's 245th Independence Day Celebration

Participate in the July 4^th Independence Day Celebrations, joining other elected officials and dignitaries for a series of events!

• Master of Ceremony: Colonel (R) Lee Fife, US Army
• National Anthem sung by Dana Whiteside, accompanied by the Zarba Military Band
• Pledge of Allegiance by Robert Santiago, Commissioner of Veteran’s Affairs
• Welcoming Remarks by Mayor Janey
• “Stars and Stripes Forever” by Zarba/Shea Military Band
• Col. Fife:  Instructions and calls marching units to order

After this brief ceremony and speaking program, the parade steps off City Hall Plaza at 9 a.m., passing Granary Burial Ground, then continuing through Downtown Crossing to the Old State House for the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. There will be parade viewing available along the route and in Downtown Crossing.

The parade will include the 7th Mass Regiment, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, the Honor Guard, City of Boston officials, Commonwealth of Massachusetts officials, Middlesex Fife and Drum, Wilmington Minutemen Co., and the Zarba Military Band. The parade route is as follows:

• step off from City Hall Plaza
• process down Tremont Street
• halt for honors at Granary Burial Grounds
• reform and take a left on School Street
• left on Washington Street, and
• stop at the Old State House where the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company reads the Declaration of Independence from the balcony. 

During the Halt for Honors at Old Granary Burial Ground, Col. Fife reads a bio. of each Patriot as wreaths are placed by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company on the graves of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine, Peter Faneuil, and Crispus Atticus. Taps & Salvos will follow the wreath ceremony.  

The conclusion program includes:

• Trumpet call
• Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Robert Santiago
• “God Bless America” sung by Dana Whiteside
• Reading of the Declaration of Independence by Captain Robert A. Imlach 
• Stars and Stripes Forever by the Zarba Military Band and confetti release

The event should conclude by 10:30. 

Note: This year, the event ends at the Old State House, not Faneuil Hall.