Each year in mid-April, thousands of people flock to historic Lexington and Concord and Minute Man National Historical Park to celebrate Patriot's Day. Patriot's Day is a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War, April 19, 1775. The holiday (Officially observed on Monday, April 21, 2008), indeed the entire weekend, is celebrated with parades, a historical reenactment at Lexington Green, commemorative events at Concord's North Bridge and along the Battle Road.

For a complete listing of events at Minute Man National Historical Park, visit our Schedule of Events page.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Bedford Pole Capping
Wilson Park, Bedford MA.
10:30 a.m.
http://www.bedfordminutemancompany.org/

Meriam's Corner Exercise
Meriam's Corner, Lexington Road, Concord
1:00 p.m.

Paul Revere Capture Ceremony
Paul Revere Capture Site, Rt. 2A, Lincoln
3:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 19, 2008
North Bridge Events

Dawn Salute
At the North Bridge, Concord
6:00 AM
The Concord Minute Men and The Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War in a moving musket and cannon salute to America’s past. 

Commemoration of the Concord Conflict
At the North Bridge, Concord
8:30 a.m.
The peace of the Concord countryside will once more be shattered by the sounds of marching feet and musketry as British and Colonial Reenactors, Park Rangers and Volunteers bring the fateful morning of April 19, 1775 to life in this stirring commemoration of "the shot heard round the world." The event will also include a moving military ceremony, "Mourn Arms," to honor the British dead that lie buried at the hallowed ground of the North Bridge Battlefield.

Arrival of the Sudbury Militia
At the North Bridge, Concord
10:30 a.m.
Join us as we welcome the Sudbury Militia as they finish their annual march from Sudbury to the North Bridge.

Parking for North Bridge events is on Monument St. NPS staff will direct you.  MAP

For a complete listing of events at Minute Man National Historical Park, visit our Schedule of Events page.

There are drill and musket demonstrations, 18th century artillery demonstrations, crafts, games and more! The highlight of the day is a massed tactical weapons demonstration running over a half-mile of the original Battle Road.

Hartwell Tavern is located on Rt 2A in Lincoln. NPS staff will direct you to parking. MAP

Click here to see the Battle Road  video! 
You may need to download Apple Quicktime or update your version. If so, click here for a free download.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Battle Reenactment - Lexington Green
5:00 a.m. (approximately)
The Town of Lexington celebrates the start of the American Revolution with a battle reenactment of the early-morning engagement between the town's militia and the British regulars. The Lexington Parade will be held at 2:00. For more information, contact the Lexington Chamber of Commerce:
(781) 862 - 1450
info@lexingtonchamber.org

Concord Patriot's Day Parade and Journey of Old Glory
Step off at 9:00 a.m.
Arrives at North Bridge approx. 9:30 a.m.
The parade route winds from Concord Center, and passes over the North Bridge before returning to town. At the North Bridge, the parade will stop for "Old Glory’s Journey of Remembrance" to honor the service and sacrifice of America’s fallen heroes with a flag-raising ceremony. During the six-month Journey of Remembrance, organized by the White House Commission on Remembrance, an American flag flown over the USS Arizona Memorial on Dec. 7, 2007, during the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, will visit 25 national cemeteries and historic battlefield locations. In addition to Minute Man, the flag will be flown at sites such as Independence Hall, Gettysburg and Fort McHenry. Old Glory will end its journey at the U.S. Capitol on Memorial Day, May 26, 2008. click here for more information

NOTE: The Commemoration of the Concord Conflict, usually held in the morning, prior to the arrival of the Concord Parade, has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 19th - the actual anniversary of the battle.
For more information, contact the
Concord Chamber of Commerce
(978) 369 - 3120
info@concordchamberofcommerce.org

Saturday, April 26, 2008
Battle Road Heroes
Hartwell Tavern
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
You've watched the battle reenactments and the parades. Now you are invited to walk down a candle-lit path to the past. Listen to the personal stories of people who lived along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. Join Captain William Smith, the Lincoln Minute Men, the Hartwells, drovers, musicians, and His Majesty's soldiers for this special evening of theater and history.

Admission for "Battle Road Heroes" is $5.00 per person, $10.00 per family. Proceeds benefit the Minute Man National Park Association.