Patriot's Day activities start this weekend Published April 3, 2013 By Sarah Olaciregui 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Thousands of people flock to Boston, as well as the Lexington and Concord area, each April to celebrate Patriot's Day, a Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolution in 1775. The holiday is officially observed April 15, but events take place throughout the month. Within neighboring Minute Man National Historical Park, the biggest event is Battle Road, held on April 13, with 300 Colonists and British Redcoats. Events culminate with Battle Road Heroes April 20. The following are a sampling of events taking place around the area. For further information, visit Minute Man National Historical Park website at www.nps.gov/mima/patriots-day.htm, call the park at 978-369-699, view the Battle Road website at www.battleroad.org or go to the Lexington History website at www.lexingtonhistory.org. April 6 Bedford Parade and Pole Capping The Bedford Parade and Pole Capping will take place April 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Wilson Park. Minutemen from throughout New England will 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. A minuteman will proclaim freedom by shinnying up a 25-foot pole and placing a red cap atop it. Meriam's Corner Exercise Meriam's Corner is on Lexington Road, one mile east of Concord Center. The event begins at 1 p.m. The town of Concord, joined by area minute men companies, fife and drum units and the Concord Independent Battery, pay remembrance to the fight at Meriam's Corner that marked the beginning of the six-hour running battle back to Boston. Tour the Meriam House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Paul Revere Capture Ceremony The event takes place at the Paul Revere Capture Site, Route 2A, in Lincoln at 3 p.m. The Lincoln Minute Men, joined by other reenactment units, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere with fife and drum music and a musket fire salute. April 13 Battle Road The event takes place at the Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith House in Lincoln. The Hartwell Tavern is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Captain William Smith House is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Park rangers will direct visitors to available parking. Activities will include musket and cannon firing, battle demonstrations, colonial life demonstrations and family activities. Bloody Angle Battle Demonstration The demonstration takes place in the Hartwell Tavern area, Route 2A, in Lincoln at 11 a.m. Three hundred Colonial and British reenactors demonstrate tactics used during the running fight back to Boston on April 19, 1775. The action will occur over a one-half mile area between "Bloody Angle" and the Samuel Hartwell House site along the Battle Road Trail. Parker's Revenge Battle Demonstration This demonstration occurs at the Parker's Revenge site near the Minute Man Visitor Center on Route 2A in Lexington at 2 p.m. The Lexington Training Band will demonstrate an ambush on the British column, as occurred on April 19, 1775, when Captain Parker's Lexington militia company took revenge on the British for their losses earlier that morning. Tower Park Battle Demonstration The demonstration takes place at Tower Park on Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington at 4 p.m. Reenactors will simulate a Revolutionary War battle scenario. April 14 Lexington Patriot's Day Parade Takes place at Lexington Center at 2 p.m. The Town of Lexington, celebrating its 300th anniversary this year, will hold its Patriot's Day parade on Sunday afternoon. Warlike Preparations at the Barrett Farm Event takes place at the Colonel James Barrett House, Barrett's Mill Road, in Concord from 1 to 4 p.m. In 1775, Col. James Barrett of Concord was responsible for safeguarding all the military supplies in town and his house was searched by British soldiers during their mission to Concord. Visit the Barrett House and experience the intense military preparations that helped launch America into the Revolutionary War. Sit in on a Committee of Safety meeting, make artillery cartridges, learn the "new" military exercise and share concerns with local citizens of 1775. April 15 Battle Reenactment - Lexington Green The Town of Lexington celebrates 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 begins at 5 a.m. For more information, contact the Lexington Chamber of Commerce at 781-862-1450 or info@lexingtonchamber.org Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight and Concord Patriot's Day Parade Happens at the North Bridge in Concord at 8:30 a.m. British reenactors will be joined by the Acton Minute Men and other local companies for a commemoration of the North Bridge fight, featuring musket salutes. The Concord Parade will arrive at North Bridge around 9:30 a.m. It is important to note that all of the roads in the center of town are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m. April 19 Dawn Salute The salute takes place at the North Bridge in Concord at 5:45 a.m. The Concord Minute Men fire salutes from the hillside and the Concord Independent Battery answer with volleys from the field at the Old Manse. Arrival of the Sudbury Militia The arrival occurs at the North Bridge in Concord at approximately 10:30 a.m. 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. April 20 Junior Ranger Day Event takes place at the Minute Man and North Bridge Visitor Centers and Jacob Whittemore House from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take part in "Hat's Off!" in the reader's theater and a militia drill with wooden muskets. At the end of the day show the work to a ranger to earn a new badge. For program times and details, visit www.nps.gov/mima/forkids. Battle Road Heroes The event happens at the Hartwell Tavern on Route 2A in Lincoln from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tours leave every 15 minutes from the Hartwell Tavern parking area. Listen to the personal stories of residents who lived along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. Join the Guild of Historic Interpreters for a special evening of theater and history. The event is appropriate for ages 8 and up. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. Children wearing their Junior Ranger Badges may attend the program for free.