Local towns blend new events with annual Patriots’ Day traditions

  • Published
  • By Jessica Casserly
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Members of Team Hanscom can participate in annual Patriots’ Day celebrations taking place in local towns throughout the month of April, including three events being held for the first time this year.

Patriots’ Day commemorates the opening battle of the American Revolution in 1775. The 2017 holiday will be officially observed April 17, but events will take place throughout the month.

In addition to traditional Patriots’ Day activities, this year’s celebration will also feature three new events taking place at Minute Man National Historical Park, located in Concord and Lincoln.

“Two of the three events, Remembering the Ladies and Sons of the American Revolution, [were inspired] by groups who had been involved with park events over the years and approached us to develop programs they feel are respectful, educational and would reach new audiences,” said Philip Lupsiewicz, Lowell and Minute Man NHP Media and Communications. “The third event, Patriots Vigil, was created by park staff who felt a solemn reflection on the sacrifices of both sides was needed.”

These events give base personnel an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of our nations’ history, Lupsiewicz said.

“We are grateful for what the Hanscom community does for our nation, and we want to give [them] every opportunity to relax, enjoy and be inspired by the actions of a people from 242 years ago,” Lupsiewicz said.

The following is a sampling of events taking place around the area. For further information, please visit the Minute Man National Historical Park website at https://www.nps.gov/mima/patriots-day.htm, view the Battle Road website at www.battleroad.org or go to the Lexington History website at www.lexingtonhistory.org/patriots-day.html.  

Saturday, April 8
Bedford Liberty Pole Capping
The Bedford Liberty Pole Capping will take place at 10:30 a.m. at Willson Park. Colonial troops from throughout New England will convene on the town common and march to Willson Park. A Bedford minuteman will then climb a 25-foot pole and place a red cap atop it, in defiance of King George.

Meriam's Corner Exercise
The town of Concord, joined by area minute men companies, will commemorate the fight at Meriam’s Corner that began the Redcoat’s six-hour frantic retreat back to Boston. Meriam's Corner is on Lexington Road, one mile east of Concord Center. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and will include musket and cannon firing and fife and drum music.

Paul Revere Capture Ceremony
The Lincoln Minute Men will lead a march down Battle Road to observe the historic capture of Paul Revere. The event features a re-telling of Longfellow’s famous poem, fife and drum music and a musket fire salute. The ceremony will take place at the Paul Revere Capture Site, 200 North Great Road, in Lincoln at 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 15
Parker's Revenge
British and Colonial reenactors will demonstrate tactical weapons engagement and recreate the running battle that took place on the border of Lincoln and Lexington. The event, which takes place on the Battle Road Trail, will involve musket firing and battle action. The Battle Road trail is located behind the Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, in Lexington. Parking is available at Minuteman Regional High School, 758 Marrett Road. The event is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

Monday, April 17
Battle Reenactment - Lexington Green
Lexington will celebrate the start of the American Revolution with a reenactment of the early morning engagement between the town's militia and the British regulars. The reenactment will begin at 5:30 a.m. Please be aware that road closures and detours will be in place for the event.

Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight and Concord Patriot's Day Parade
The Concord events will commence at the North Bridge at 8:45 a.m. British and Colonial reenactors will commemorate the “Shot heard round the world” with a re-staging of the North Bridge fight featuring marching and musket fire. The Concord Parade is scheduled to arrive at North Bridge at 9:30 a.m. It is important to note that all roads in the center of Concord will be closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Lexington Afternoon Parade
Lexington’s annual Patriot’s Day parade will take place at 2 p.m. The parade route will begin at Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street in East Lexington and proceed west along Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington Center. Please be aware that parking for the event will be extremely limited and road closures and detours will be in place.

Tuesday, April 18
New - Patriot Vigil
This event will feature a lantern-light procession, poetry, music and a recitation of the names of the soldiers who gave their lives on April 19, 1775. The procession will step off at the North Bridge Visitor Center at 7:50 p.m. Participants are asked to bring their own enclosed candle lanterns instead of flashlights to preserve the authenticity of the period. A ceremony will be held at the North Bridge from 8 p.m. until 8:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 19
Dawn Salute
The Concord Minute Men and the Concord Independent Battery will observe the opening battle of the American Revolution with a 21 musket and cannon salute. The event will take place at the North Bridge in Concord at 6 a.m.

New - Remembering the Ladies
This event will highlight the role of women in the Revolution. The event will take place at the North Bridge in Concord at 10 a.m. In commemoration of the women who armed themselves and provided local security in the midst of the crisis, the living history group the Molly Cutthroats will fire a ceremonial volley of musketry from the North Bridge.

New - Sons of the American Revolution, Henry Knox Color Guard
As part of the new events taking place at Minute Man NHP, the Henry Knox Color Guard will fire three volleys from North Bridge at approximately 12:30 p.m. in honor of our Revolutionary Forbearers.