There is no doubt that New Englanders are a loud, proud and patriotic people. It's part of our charm. We hold our heads high, knowing the nation began in our backyard. The Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, Lexington and Concord — it all took place in the heart of New England, and we're not afraid to boast about it.

Every Independence Day, Boston seizes the opportunity to exemplify its passionate and unique brand of colonial patriotism with the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. With the Boston Symphony setting the premise for an evening to remember, fireworks are launched over the Boston Harbor while audiences are able to view the display from the Esplanade.

The event has become hallowed tradition not only for native Bostonians, but for those who make the trek to Beantown, as well as those who hunker down at home to watch it. But could the performance scheduled for July 4, 2016 be the final run for the Fireworks Spectacular? Could a lack of funding spell curtains for this time-honored tradition?

Sources have indicated that this could potentially be the last hurrah for the Fireworks Spectacular, as locating benefactors for the event has become practically impossible. In a time when national pride is challenged every day by political incompetence and social unrest, Boston may have to forgo its celebration of independence for the mere sake of financial sagacity.