Celebrating Patriots Day in Lexington and Concord 2013

Patriots Day commemorates the April 19 anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. It is a Massachusetts state holiday, officially observed on the third Monday in April and is celebrated with parades and ceremonies from Boston to Roxbury, and all along the Battle Road.

Thousands of members of local minute men companies, militias, and historical societies participate in the re-enactments in Boston, the Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord's Old North Bridge, Lexington's Battle Green, and other historic sites in the Boston area.

We’ve rounded up some of the key re-enactments, parades, and special events for Patriots Day, as well as special events at local museums, historical houses and the Minute Man National Park. Note that most of the events listed are free, but they are very popular, so plan to arrive early and expect crowds.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Bloody Angle Battle Demonstration (11am)
Hartwell Tavern Minute Man National Park, Lincoln MA         

300 Colonial and British re-enactors demonstrate tactics used during the running fight back to Boston on April 19, 1775. The action occurs between "Bloody Angle" and the Samuel Hartwell House site along the Battle Road Trail. FREE

Parker's Revenge Battle Demonstration (2pm)

Parker's Revenge Site - near Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington

The Lexington Training Band demonstrates an ambush on the British column, as occurred on April 19, 1775 as Captain Parker's Lexington militia company took revenge on the British for their losses earlier that morning. FREE

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

Lexington Afternoon Parade (2pm)

Mass Ave - Lexington

The afternoon parade starts at Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street in East Lexington, proceeds west along Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington Center, left onto Worthen Road ending at the Town Pool Parking Lot. FREE

Colonial Singers Candlelit Concert (7:30pm)

Lexington Depot Building - Lexington

The Lexington Historical Society's Colonial Singers perform a candlelit concert including favorite Revolutionary era songs. Tickets $5, at the door

Annual Lantern Ceremony (8pm)

Old North Church - Boston

One If by land, Two if by sea. The enduring fame of the Old North began on the evening of April 18, 1775, when the church sexton, Robert Newman, climbed the steeple and held high two lanterns as a signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea and not by land. This fateful event ignited the American Revolution. FREE

Paul Revere’s Ride Re-enactment (11:30pm)

Hancock-Clarke House - Lexington

Paul Revere’s famous Midnight Ride, as recounted in the not so accurate poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, started in Charlestown with the purpose of alerting John Hancock and Samuel Adams about the departure of the British Regulars from Boston headed West.

The Lexington Historical Society along with the Lexington Minute Men and the National Lancers re-create Paul Revere's arrival at midnight at the Hancock- Clarke House, complete with the drama of the reactions of the occupants of the house. Spectators should arrive between 11:15pm -11:30pm.; action takes place 11:45pm- 12:15am. FREE

MONDAY, APRIL 15

Battle Reenactment (5:30am)

Lexington Green

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 observance starts at 5:30am with the ringing of the bell calling all Minute Men to the Lexington Green to defend Lexington from the approaching Redcoats. Arrive early (4–5am) to get a good location for viewing the battle. FREE

Sunrise Youth Parade (7:30am)

Massachusetts Avenue - Lexington

A special parade for a variety of youth organizations such as Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League Teams, Youth Soccer, School Bands, etc. The Parade starts at the Munroe Cemetery Driveway and proceeds through Lexington Center and onto the Green. FREE

Patriots Day Open House (8am-5pm)

The Old Manse - Concord

A celebration to commemorate the battle of the North Bridge. FREE

Patriots Day Celebrations (8am-1pm)

John Eliot Square, UUM Church - Roxbury

Join the Roxbury Collaborative in celebrating Boston's role in freeing the American colonies from British occupation. Roxbury notables past and present will be celebrated at the annual re-enactment of the William Dawes Ride. The event includes a breakfast, awards to two contemporary unsung heroes, the National Lancers re-enactment ride, awarding of two scholarships, a historical talk and a historical trolley tour led by State Representative Byron Rushing. FREE

Concord Patriots Day Parade (9am)

Concord Center

The Concord Patriot's Day Parade begins in Concord Center and arrives at the North Bridge around 9:30am, stopping for ceremonies with music and musket and cannon salutes, before returning through town. NOTE: All of the roads in the center of town are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30am. FREE

Patriots’ Day Fun (9am-5pm)
Concord Museum, Concord

Families can explore the Concord Museum’s collection of treasures from April 1775 including the famous “one, if by land, two, if by sea” Revere lantern; a sword from one of the soldiers of the British 10th Regiment; the sword of Minuteman James Barrett; a pair of pistols belonging to Major John Buttrick, the officer in the Concord Militia who gave the order to fire; and a fife played by a young boy.

Children can also enjoy hands-on patriotic crafts and visits with living history characters to learn more about powder horns, muskets, and the Revere lantern with a colonial militiaman. The Middlesex County 4H Fife & Drum Corps performs at 1pm, and kids can ask them about fifes and drums in 1775. Free with admission

Paul Revere and William Dawes Rides Re-enactments (10am & 10:30am)
Boston & Roxbury

Paul Revere leaves from Hanover Street in Boston at 10am, and William Dawes leaves from Eliot Square in Roxbury at 10:30am, warning the people while on their way to the Hancock-Clarke House on the Lexington Green (arrival 1pm- 1:25pm). FREE

FRIDAY, APRIL 19

Dawn Salute (5:45am)

North Bridge - Concord

Alarm rider “Dr. Prescott” crosses North Bridge calling out the warning that the Regulars are on the march. The Concord Minute Men fire salutes from the hillside and the Concord Independent Battery answer with volleys from the field at the Old Manse. FREE

Arrival of the Sudbury Militia (10:30am)

North Bridge, Concord

The Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute Men arrive at the North Bridge after making their annual march from the town of Sudbury. They will fire three musket salutes from the North Bridge. FREE

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

Junior Ranger Day (9am-5pm)

At the Minute Man and North Bridge Visitor Centers and Hartwell Tavern

Kids can have fun exploring Minute Man National Historical Park with a Junior Ranger Day Booklet to guide them. Take part in “Hat’s Off!” in the Reader’s Theater and a militia drill with wooden muskets. At the end of the day, they can show their work to a Ranger to earn a new badge. FREE

Battle Road Heroes (7pm)

Hartwell Tavern - Route 2A, Lincoln

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. Recommended for ages 8 and up. $5/person; $10/family

Photo: Courtesy of Minute Man National Historical Park