HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Communities surrounding the base will hold Patriots’ Day events throughout April.
Patriots’ Day is a Massachusetts state holiday commemorating the first battle of the American Revolution April 19, 1775. It is celebrated annually on the third Monday in April.
The following are a few upcoming events and activities. Additional information is available on the Hanscom AFB Bulletin Board What.To.Do Community Events listing and on the individual town websites.
Saturday, April 11
Bedford Liberty Pole Capping
10:30 a.m.
Willson Park, Bedford
The Bedford Liberty Pole Capping ceremony features a march, displays of musketry, music and the raising of a tall wooden pole, which is climbed by a Bedford Minuteman and topped with a red knitted cap.
Meriam’s Corner Exercise
12:30 p.m.
Old Bedford Road at Lexington Road, Concord
The annual Meriam’s Corner Exercise commemoration marks the assembly and actions of militia and minutemen units that arrived at Meriam's Corner during the British retreat from Concord April 19, 1775.
Friday, April 17
Patriot Vigil
7:30 p.m.
North Bridge, Concord
The ceremony features a lantern-light procession, poetry, music and recitation of the names of soldiers who died April 19, 1775.
Paul Revere’s Ride
9 p.m.
Hancock-Clarke House, Lexington
Watch a live reenactment of the ride of Paul Revere and William Dawes to sound the alarm of the impending British raid.
Saturday, April 18
Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington
5:15 a.m.
Lexington Battle Green, Lexington
Lexington commemorates the start of the American Revolution with an early morning reenactment of the engagement between the town’s militia and British regulars.
Lexington Patriots’ Day parade
1:30 p.m.
Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington
The annual parade consists of reenactors and other groups beginning at Maple Street and continuing through Lexington Center.
Sunday, April 19
Dawn Salute
6 a.m.
Field at Old Manse, Concord
The Dawn Salute observance commemorates the opening battle of the American Revolution with a gun salute and volleys from the field at Old Manse.
North Bridge Real-Time Battle Walk
8:30 a.m.
North Bridge Visitor Center, Concord
Commemorate the “shot heard ‘round the world” in real-time and explore the story of the North Bridge and the soldiers who fought there 251 years ago.
Monday, April 20
Town of Concord parade
9 a.m.
Main Street, Concord
The annual parade winds through Concord, over the Old North Bridge and features reenactors and other patriotic groups.