Independence Day Guide Discover where to see the fireworks around the state, what'll be happening at the Hatch Shell, and what others in the Greater Boston area are grilling for the weekend. Don't forget to send a free digital postcard. [ Guide ]

6 a.m. Esplanade opens to the public.

9 a.m. Flag raising ceremony and celebration on City Hall Plaza. Master of Ceremonies: General John White. Raising of the American Flag by Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "National Anthem" sung by Ernest Triplett. "Stars and Stripes Forever" played by the John Shea Military Band.

9:30 a.m. Parade from City Hall Plaza, Tremont Street.

9:40 a.m. Parade halts at Honors at Old Granary Burial Ground. Wreaths placed by Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company on the graves of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine, and Peter Faneuil. Parade resumes to the Old State House.

9:45 a.m. 224th reading of Declaration of Independence from balcony of Old State House. "Yankee Doodle" by the John Shea Military Band; "God Bless America" sung by Ernest Triplett.

10 a.m. Parade reforms ending next to Faneuil Hall.

10:30 a.m. Patriotic exercises at Faneuil Hall. "Battle Hymn of the Republic" sung by Ernest Triplett. Patriotic sing-along.

Noon Boston's Fourth of July on the Esplanade programming begins with an afternoon of recorded music.

7:45-8 p.m. 9,600-square-foot American flag will be unfurled and flown in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records' title for Largest Aerial Banner Flown, on the Esplanade.

8 p.m. Annual Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra concert at MDC Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade, conducted by Keith Lockhart. Special guests: Trisha Yearwood and Boston Symphony Orchestra Music Director Seiji Ozawa conducting Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture."

10 p.m. Fireworks synchronized to music over the Charles River. Hotline: 1-888-484-7677.

Originally published in the Boston Globe Calendar.