Fox Nation to stream Boston Tea Party reenactment
This Saturday marks a Hub-centric national celebration with the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party – and it’s all being streamed on Fox Nation.
This infamous Tea Party came about when, fed up with England’s “taxation without representation,” patriots took to the harbor and dumped tons of tea into the sea rather than see it being taxed. It was the first volley fired in what would become the American Revolution and make the United States an independent, king-free nation.
“They do do reenactments every year. But I think this is a big deal. I mean, it’s 250 years,” said Molly Line, Fox News’ Boston-based correspondent who will be anchoring the streaming platform.
“These American heroes, a lot of them still remain nameless today, sent this message not only to show the King of England but to fellow patriots all across the colonies. They’re the ones that stirred this pot that eventually boiled over into a revolution.
“And now 250 years later, this is a grand reenactment, a tribute to their sacrifices, their ingenuity and bravery, that made it all possible. In a sense, it’s a way to show gratitude.”
Beginning late Saturday afternoon, hundreds of reenactors will re-tell the story of the Boston Tea Party and theatrically recreate the events of Dec. 16, 1773, at the historic Old South Meeting House and Faneuil Hall with performances and programming. This will be followed by a public procession to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum where the Sons of Liberty will destroy loose tea — 250 lbs. sent to Boston from London’s East India Company — in addition to tea sent in from citizens from around the country, into Boston’s historic harbor.
Fox Nation is exclusively streaming the entire event live. “We’re going to start about 3:35 in the afternoon and go of course until the big dramatic moments at the end of the evening, when the tea gets dumped in the Boston Harbor and there’s the grand finale. We’ll wrap up somewhere around 8:30 or 9 o’clock.”
This reenactment is educational, Line noted. “It gives us the shared experience of getting as close as we can to the people of that moment, of hearing the words of Sam Adams and John Hancock, and paying homage to these men, many of whom were teenagers at this time.
“There were 340 tea boxes and these were massive. It really took some muscle to unload. I don’t think we’re going to be that specific in the reenactment but definitely, the symbolism will be there, the dumping will be happening. I’m sure a little bit of muscle will be involved.”
Optimistic that it won’t be below freezing Saturday, “Perhaps,” Line said, “I’ll cozy up with some Dunkin’ Donuts in the spirit of a chilly evening.”