How Soon Will Big Events Return To Massachusetts?

SALEM, MA — This summer should look a lot more fun and festive in Massachusetts than it did last year when strict coronavirus-related restrictions kept gatherings very small and forced the cancellation of most public events.

But how festive how soon remains a question Commonwealth cities and towns, as well as the restaurants and entertainment venues within them, are still wrestling with as the timeline for when large events — which generally require months of planning — will be allowed is still uncertain.

Salem and Worcester have already canceled or postponed their Fourth of July fireworks celebrations, but the biggest celebration of them all is apparently holding out hope that Gov. Charlie Baker's repeated hints that he may move up the Aug. 1 date for the lifting of all remaining state business and gathering restrictions will allow for some sort of esplanade show this Independence Day.

"The Boston Symphony Orchestra is currently evaluating and planning the July 4 Boston Pops Fireworks Extravaganza," says a message on the Boston Pops website as of Saturday, "but an official announcement will not be forthcoming until late spring. The safety and well-being of everyone involved will always remain the highest priority in our decision-making process."

With New Hampshire lifting all business restrictions as of this weekend — replacing them with "best practice" guidance on masks and social distancing that businesses can follow only if they feel like it — and Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey set to do similarly within the next few weeks, Massachusetts is caught in between heralding some of the nation's best vaccination and lowest virus rates while potentially being months behind neighbors when it comes to attracting late spring and summer shows, events and corresponding tourist dollars.

"We're going to play this game based on our data and our information," Baker said on Thursday. "Other states will do what other states will do."

Starting Monday, the state will allow indoor singing with distancing, road races, street festivals and capacity at large venues such as Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium and TD Garden to expand from 12 to 25 percent, with more easing of restrictions set for May 29.

But while Aug. 1 remains the stated target for full capacity easing, the New Kids on the Block have a Fenway Park show scheduled for July 16 where fans of Donnie, Joey and the boys can buy tickets for the entire ballpark as of this weekend. The Guns N' Roses show on Aug. 3 is being advertised extensively throughout Red Sox games, while Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are scheduled for two dates on July 16 and July 17.

Suffice to say, none of those concerts are being advertised with the idea of having attendance capped at 9,000 people, even as Mayor Kim Janey already said Boston will trail the rest of the state's reopening benchmarks by three additional weeks whenever they ultimately occur.

"If we see significant improvement in our data of the course of the next month or so we'll make adjustments," Baker said Thursday.

Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom has a full slate of indoor summer rock and country concerts scheduled, starting on July 2, including a "sold out" Aaron Lewis on July 24.

In Salem, the tentative plan is to postpone the Fourth of July fireworks to an August date to coincide with Salem Heritage Days.

"We continue to do all that we can to keep our community for everyone," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said in announcing the second straight Independence Day without a municipal event, at the same time she warned residents that private fireworks are illegal in the state. "Unfortunately, even with the improving public health metrics, we will not be in a place where the city or the National Perk Service believes we will be able to safely gather on Derby Wharf in July."

"We feel it is still too soon to be among big crowds," Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President Tim Murray said in a statement on that city's Fourth of July cancellation. "We feel it is still too soon to be among big crowds."

As for other cities and towns holding out hope of at least a modified Fourth of July block party, and smaller concert venues waiting for the go-ahead to book shows in late June or July, Baker said Thursday: "People will have to make whatever decision makes the most sense to them."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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