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Massachusetts natives go Fourth for holiday

Bergeron confirms the occasion, the guests and the setting all contributed to “the carrot on the stick that I couldn't resist ... and particularly this year, an election year. All eyes are turned to Washington even more than usual, and it's a great time for a birthday party.”

For his latest Independence Day hosting stint on the Charles River Esplanade, with recent Queen's Diamond Jubilee conductor Keith Lockhart leading the Boston Pops, Chiklis — who returns to series work this fall opposite Dennis Quaid in the CBS drama “Vegas” — will have his own Oscar winner to present: “Dreamgirls” co-star and third-season “American Idol” finalist Jennifer Hudson. He doesn't deny having her on board has made him pretty popular in his household.

“To have her as the guest is thrilling,” Chiklis says, “and my children are completely crazed about it. Both my 18-year-old and my 13-year-old were screaming when I told them; they were jumping up and down. Jennifer crosses all demographics, because I think my wife and I are equally excited about it.”

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