Lexington, Mass – An official holiday in Massachusetts, Patriots’ Day commemorates the start of the Revolutionary War. On the third Monday in April, Bay Staters celebrate with historical reenactments, patriotic parades and pancake breakfasts. Events take place in Boston, Lexington, Concord and other nearby communities. The most famous events include the lantern-lighting ceremony at Old North Church, the parade through downtown Boston, the battle reenactment on Battle Green in Lexington, and the ceremony at the Old North Bridge in Concord.
In addition to the main events on Patriots’ Day, Minute Man National Historical Park has a full schedule of special events throughout the weekend (less crowded and probably more informative). The exact schedule varies from year to year, but there are many options. These include: tactical demonstrations, tours of historic houses, presentations about civilian experiences, and guided hikes retracing the troops’ movements. Most of these take place at Minute Man National Historical Park.
I decided to check out the tactical demonstrations along Battle Road. These events allow spectators to witness the drama that continued as the British soldiers retreated to Boston on April 19, 1775. I watched the evacuation of the civilians, followed by a skirmish at Hartwell Tavern. Then I hopped on my bike and rode to over to the Josiah Nelson house site to see another entanglement.
After the demonstrations, the reenactors hang out and answer questions about their roles in the events. They are hobbyists, but they know an incredible amount about the history of the events they are reenacting.
It wasn’t exactly clear what was happening in the demonstrations, but it’s exciting to watch, with plenty of gunfire and music and horses. And there are also many park rangers and volunteers on hand to answer questions and provide context. It was great to be there on bike, so I could watch a series of events without too much schlepping. Best of all, I had a clear view of every march and every battle. (Unlike the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington, which was pretty much impossible to see.)
I highly recommend these NPS events for visitors (or locals!) who are wondering how to celebrate Patriots’ Day. The only thing missing is the pancakes.