Fireworks, Festivities Highlight Weekend

Friday, July 2

Harborfest:

For information on all events, call 227-1528

9:30a.m.-3:50 p.m.: USS CONSTITUTION

John Quincy Adams Drydock, Charlestown Navy Yard

Tour "Old Ironsides" while she is in drydock and to see her famous copper-sheeted hull.

10 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: Fife and Drum

The Visitor Information Booth, Boston Common

Period music by the Middlesex County Volunteers.

10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: "Remember the Ladies"

Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center, 15 State Street

A guided walking tour highlighting three centuries of Boston's women's ideas.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Harbor Islands Guided Walks

Boston Harbor Islands State Park. Department of Environmental Management (740-1605), Metropolitan District Commission (727-5290), Bay State Cruises, Long Wharf (723-7800).

Guided natural history walks on Bumpkin, Gallops, Grape, Lovells and Peddocks islands and tours of Fort Warren on Georges Island. Ferries from Long Wharf, Boston and Hingham Shipyard to Georges Island, connecting island water taxi; boat transportation $6, island programs free.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Harbor Islands Treasure Hunt

Boston Harbor Islands State Park MDC (727-5290), Bay State Cruises, Long Wharf (723-7800)

Hunt for pirates' treasure on Bumpkin, Lovells, Gallops, Grape and Peddocks Islands. Treasure maps at island docks, Boat transportation $6, program free.

10:30 a.m.-Noon: Discover Boston Harbor: Then and Now

On the steps of Old City Hall, 45 School Street

A guided walking tour of the historic waterfront, admission $5.

Noon-2 p.m.: A Sailor's Diet

Boston Tea Party and Museum, Congress Street Bridge (338-1773)

Sample 18th century ship fare, admission $3-$6, under 5 free.

Noon-2 p.m.: Puppets on Parade

Noon-2:30 p.m.: New England Clambake Cruise. Spirit of Boston, Rowe's Wharf (569-4449).

Noon-4 p.m.: Fort Independence, Castle Island

South Boston (268-5744)

Tour a 19th-century seacoast fort.

1 p.m.-4 p.m.: Tour US Coast Guard Base and Ships

U.S. Coast Guard support center, 427 Commercial St., North End. Guided tour of coast guard vessels Seneca, Escanaba or Spencer.

1 p.m.-4 p.m.: Visit U.S. Navy Ships

Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, 666 Summer St.; World Trade Center and Charlestown Navy Yard.

1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.: Discover Boston Harbor: Then and Now

2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: African-Americans in Colonial Boston

Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center, 15 State Street

A guided walking tour of the waterfront highlighting Boston's earliest Black community.

2 p.m.-4 p.m.: Computer Animation Festival

The Computer Museum, Museum Wharf at 300 Congress St.

2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Paul Revere's Boston

Paul Revere's House, 19 North Square. Walking tour of Paul Revere's neighborhood.

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Boston's Revolutionary Tavern Sites

Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center, 15 State St.

A guided walking tour of tavern sites where the Revolutionary cause brewed.

6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.: Colonel Crane's Artillery Band of Music

The Courtyard, Old City Hall, 45 School Street

A recreated 18th-century regimental band plays music of the early republic.

9:30 p.m.: Fireworks Skyconcert over Boston Harbor

Best viewing from the North End's Puopolo Park and the Charlestown Navy Yard.

A dazzling fireworks display designed by the famous Grucci Family, synchronized to music exclusively on Mix 98.5-FM. Bring your radio and tune in!

Boston Pops Free Outdoor Concert

8 p.m.: The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Hatch Shell, near the Charles T stop

Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, Chabrier, Bach-Cailliet, Loewe-Hayman. Harry Ellis Dickson Conducting.

Saturday, July 3

Harborfest:

For information on all events, call 227-1528

9:30 a.m.-3:50 p.m.: USS Constitution

10-10:15 a.m.: Fife and Drum

10-11:30 a.m.: African-Americans in Colonial Boston

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Harbor Islands Guided Walks and Treasure Hunt (see Friday)

10:30 a.m.-Noon: Discover Boston Harbor: Then and Now (see Friday)

10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.: A Day on Thompson Island

Bring a picnic and enjoy the Outward Bound experience (328-3900). $8 adults, $6 children

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Fun and Games on the Freedom Trail

11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Constitution Cup Regatta

Ocean boat racing in the outer Boston harbor.

11 a.m.-6 p.m.: Twelfth Annual Chowderfest

Sample clam chowder from Boston's best restaurants, $4-$6.

Noon-2 p.m.: Puppets on Parade

On the mall at the Old State House Museum.

Noon-3 p.m.: Colonial Tea and Scones

At the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum.

Noon-4 p.m.: Black Jokers' Morris Dancers

On the Plaza at City Hall, Traditional English Ritual folk dancing.

Noon-4 p.m.: Fort Independence Castle Island.

1-3 p.m.: Colonial Music by Ayriel

At Paul Revere's House.

2-3 p.m.: What's All the Fuss About Tea? Across from the Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., debate the infamous 1773 Tea Tax.

Boston Pops Free Outdoor Concert

8 p.m.: Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Hatch Shell, near the Charles

T stop

"A Musical Tour of the United States," Sing, Sing, Sing; Theme from Jurassic Park; America the Beautiful; Oklahoma! John Williams conducting.

Sunday, July 4

Harborfest: For information on all events, call 227-1528

9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.: Celebration of Independence

Flag-raising on City Hall Plaza followed by a parade that ends with the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Kite Festival

Gallops Island, Boston Harbor Islands State Park (740-1605), Make your own kite and learn how to fly it.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Harbor Island Guided Walks (see Friday)

10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.: A Day on Thompson Island (see Saturday).

11 a.m.-Noon: Special Independence Day Worship Service

Old North Church, 192 Salem St.,

One of Boston's most famous churches.

11 a.m. 1 p.m.: U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty.

Charlestown Navy Yard, Pier One.

11:30 p.m.-Noon: Fife and Drum

Noon 12:10 p.m.: Official 21-Gun Salute to the Nation

Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Constitution fires its cannon.

12:10 12:20 p.m.: Official 17-Gun Salute to the Commonwealth and 6 Gun Salute.

Noon-2 p.m.: Puppets on Parade

Noon-3 p.m.: Colonial Tea & Scones

Noon-4 p.m.: Tour US Coast Guard Base and Ships

1-2:30 p.m.: Fun and Games on the Freedom Trail

1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.: Discover Boston Harbor: Then and Now

Boston Pops Free Outdoor Concert: 8pm-Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Hatch Shell, near the Charles T stop

"A Musical Tour of the United States," same program as Saturday night ending with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and fireworks. John Williams conducting.