Patriots’ Day, (also known as Patriot’s Day and Patriots Day) is one of those strange relics in New England known as a holiday. You may have never even heard of such a holiday, but that’s OK. Only Maine and Massachusetts still officially recognize the day by giving state employees and students a long weekend in the third week of April, every year. To New Englanders, Patriots’ Day is special and don’t you dare think about taking it away from us. You may lose some digits.
Historically, Patriots’ Day is far more significant that just a day off for student and state employees. Originally celebrated on September 11, Patriots’ Day marks the first battles of the Revolutionary Way in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. Re-enactments occur annually at Lexington Green in Lexington, MA, (~6am) and The Old North Bridge in Concord, MA (~9am). The Boston Marathon is traditionally run on Patriots’ Day. Also, the Boston Red Sox have traditionally played a home game at Fenway Park on this date every year since 1960, and organized the starting time of the game to coincide with the marathon, so that people leaving the game would be able to head into Kenmore Square and cheer on the runners heading through the area. Below is an aggregated scheudle of events related to Patriots' Day Re-enactment Ceremonies
Patriots’ Day Schedule of Re-Enactment EventsDawn Salute
At the North Bridge, Concord
6:00 AM
The Concord Minute Men and The Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War in a moving musket and cannon salute to America’s pastCommemoration of the Concord Conflict.
At the North Bridge, Concord
8:30 a.m.
The peace of the Concord countryside will once more be shattered by the sounds of marching feet and musketry as British and Colonial reenactors, Park Rangers and Volunteers bring the fateful morning of April 19, 1775 to life in this stirring commemoration of “the shot heard round the world.” The event will also include a moving military ceremony, “Mourn Arms,” to honor the British dead who lie buried on the hallowed grounds of the North Bridge Battlefield.
Arrival of the Sudbury Militia
At the North Bridge, Concord
10:30 a.m.
Join us as we welcome the Sudbury Militia as they finish their annual march from Sudbury to the North Bridge. Battle Road
At Hartwell Tavern (Rt. 2A Lincoln)
12:00 - 4:00
Battle Road features hundreds of British and Colonial Reenactors encamped at the Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith house, both part of Minute Man National Historical Park. The event site and parking are located on Rt. 2A in Lincoln.There are drill and musket demonstrations, 18th century artillery demonstrations, crafts, games and more! The highlight of the day is a massed tactical weapons demonstration running over a half-mile of the original Battle Road. Saturday, April 19, 2008
The Patriots Ball at the Concord Armory from 7:30 PM to midnight. Music of the colonial period as well as more modern, the dress is semi-formal, ceremonial or military uniforms, or 18th century dress. There is a grand march to the Wright Tavern at midnight to witness the re-enactment of Dr. Prescott’s horseback warning of the coming of the British Regulars. For more information, contact the Concord Chamber of Commerce (978) 369 - 3120. Monday, April 21, 2008
Battle Reenactment - Lexington Green (**At Dawn Day-trip Lexington, Ma**)
5:00 a.m. (approximately) 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 Lexington Parade will be held at 2:00. For more information, contact the Lexington Chamber of Commerce: (781) 862 - 1460
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Concord Patriot’s Day Parade, Concord, MA
Step off at 9:00 a.m. Arrives at North Bridge approx. 9:45 a.m.
NOTE: The Commemoration of the Concord Conflict, usually held in the morning, prior to the arrival of the Concord Parade, has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 19th - the actual anniversary of the battle.
For more information, contact the Concord Chamber of Commerce (978) 369 - 3120
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
