Hanscom AFB -- Patriot's Day, a Massachusetts State holiday, commemorates the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775.

This year the holiday is officially observed on April 16. Leading up to that day are several historical commemorations culminating at the North Bridge battle reenactment on April 16. 

Bedford, Massachusetts 
The town will hold its annual Bedford Pole Capping and parade, which is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. April 7. Minutemen from throughout New England are expected to convene on the town common and march with fife and drum down The Great Road to Wilson Park to watch the official pole capping tradition. There, a Minuteman will proclaim freedom by shinnying up a 25-foot pole and placing a red cap atop it. 

Concord, Massachusetts 
Visitors can line the street at the corner of Lexington Road and Old Bedford Road at 12:30 p.m. April 7 to witness the Meriam's Corner Exercise. Joined by area minutemen companies and fife and drum units, Concord and the Minute Man National Historical Park will commemorate the fight at Meriam's Corner, which sparked the six-hour running battle back to Boston. 

Witness the reenactment of the "shot heard round the world" as British and Colonial enactors, volunteers and Park Rangers bring to life the fateful events of April 19, 1775, at 8:30 a.m., at the North Bridge in Concord on April 16.

The 6th annual Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony will take place at the North Bridge on April 16. A backdrop of 500 luminaries will set the stage for a program of patriotic music and remembrance held by the North Bridge. Attendees are encouraged to bring a flashlight and their voices to this night of family fun and patriotic togetherness. 

Lincoln, Massachusetts
Relive Paul Revere's capture as the Lincoln fife and drum corps, Lincoln Minute Men and Lincoln town officials observe this historic reenactment at 3 p.m. on Saturday. This event takes place at the Paul Revere Capture Site in the Minute Man National Historical Park, located on Route 2A in Lincoln, Mass. 

Join British and colonial reenactors, park rangers and volunteers for a "typical" April 1777 day at the Hartwell Tavern Historical Area in the Minute Man National Historical Park on April 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities for visitors include drill and musket firing demonstrations, cooking, clothing repair and recruiting for the colonial militia. A Battle Road tactics and weapons demonstration is also planned. 

The Lincoln Minute Men will host a concert of 18th century fife and drum music April 15 from 1:45 to 3:30 p.m. in Pierce Park. Folk tunes from all European cultures as well as works by the major composers of the era will be performed. 

Lexington, Massachusetts 
For the early riser, Patriots' Day will offer a full line-up of events and reenactments that begin with the historic battle reenactment on Lexington Green. This event takes place at 5:30 a.m. as "forces" assemble on Lexington Green to reenact the skirmish between the Lexington Militia and British troops. 

For information and times on Patriot's Day celebrations taking place in the local area visit: www.battleroad.org. or www.nps.gov/mima/spe cial.html.