Boston residents seek out A/C and Italian ice as a major heat wave hits

On Wednesday, the first day of a major heat wave arrived in Boston, and people all across the city scrambled to stay cool. From Carson Beach in South Boston to the Frog Pond on Boston Common, residents splashed in water, grabbed cold treats, and looked for shade wherever they could find it. City officials warned that the heat could last several days and urged everyone to look out for each other. The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning, with heat index temperatures possibly reaching as high as 112 degrees.

At Carson Beach, a man named Tarek Nahas ran a concessions booth selling frozen treats. He said the heat wave was great for his business and that he had already stocked up on 10 tubs of ice cream that very morning. Raspberry and mango slush were his most popular items. Even so, working in a booth with no air conditioning was tough. 'It kills back there, really,' he said. 'I'm literally just dying.'

Not everyone was suffering, though. David Delmedico, 52, sat along the beach pouring water on his feet to cool off. He said hot summer days are something he looks forward to all year long. He spent the afternoon meditating in the shade while listening to Bob Marley from a small speaker. 'I was meant for the islands, I think,' he said.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu spoke to reporters at the Frog Pond spray pool on Boston Common, which officially opened that day. She reminded people to check on their neighbors, especially older adults and young children. 'Our older adults and children are particularly vulnerable, and those with medical conditions, but it can happen to anyone, so be prepared,' she said. A large crowd came out for the opening, and kids shrieked and splashed in the water to beat the heat.

In nearby Kendall Square in Cambridge, office workers stepped outside during lunch and felt the full blast of summer heat. Angel Zhang, 26, waited in line at a food truck and explained that she has no air conditioning at home. She planned to spend as much time as possible at her air-conditioned office throughout the week. 'I plan to wake up really early, like 6 a.m., before the weather is hot and stay in the office,' she said. 'Until midnight.'

Red Sox fans who watched an afternoon game at Fenway Park had a rough time in the blazing bleachers. Karen Koop, 63, visiting from Michigan, said it felt '10 times worse' inside the ballpark than it did outside. She decided to spend the rest of her Boston trip in shorter outings, returning to her hotel in between to rest and cool down. Fans who stuck through the heat did not get a win — Boston lost 10 to 2.

The city also moved its World Cup watch party indoors because of the extreme heat. The event had been planned for Boston Common but was shifted to the music venue MGM Fenway to keep people safe. City officials also reminded residents that several museums, including the Museum of Science and the Institute of Contemporary Art, were offering free admission to Boston residents during the heat wave. The goal was to give people safe, cool places to spend the hottest days of the summer.