The 225th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution takes place this April, with festivities stretching from Boston to Concord and back again. Widespread publicity, particularly by the Town of Lexington, will draw visitors and participants from all over the world for a bigger and much more elaborate commemoration than in any typical year.

Exhibits, parades, encampments, re-enactments and more will be offered over several weeks throughout eastern Massachuestts. Even though Concord is the western-most point of the battle's events and only the mid-point of the story of April 18-19, 1775, this article focuses only in events here.

Re-Enactment Websites For a greater understanding of the art and craft of historical re-enacting, take a look at these Websites about local groups. While at first glance, re-enacting may seem like putting on some old clothes to play at being from the 18th century, the enormous care the participants take and the research they do may surprise and impress you. The Régiment de Saintonge Home Page Battle Road Clothing & Accoutrements His Majesty's Tenth Regiment of Foot (American Contingent)

Throughout April and May, the Concord Free Public Library's To Support the Truth of It - the 19th of April In Concord Town Records exhibit will display artifacts documenting the events of the Concord Fight. The long and interesting history of Concord's Patriot's Day celebrations will also be shown.

The Meriam's Corner Exercise involves a parade down Old Bedford Road and a ceremony on April 8, 1:30 PM

A huge re-enactment of the Lexington/Concord Battles and the British retreat back to Boston will be held throughout the day on Saturday April 15th. It is expected to arrive at the Old North Bridge at 8 AM and at Merriam's Corner at 10 AM. It will continue on through Minuteman National Park and the battle at the Blood Angle will occur about 11:45 AM. Learn more about the events being portrayed here at the Lexington 2000 Commission Website, as well as all the events of the rest of the day.

The Patriot's Day/225th Anniversary Parade kicks off on Monday, April 17th at 9 AM, with marchers from around the country, including the crew of the US Navy ship "Concord". The parade travels up Main Street and over to the Old North Bridge. A ceremony and re-enactment of the battle at the bridge is at 9:15 AM, followed by the second half of the parade back to and down Main Street.

On Wednesday, April 19th at 6 AM, the Dawn Salute up Lexington Road, through the town center, and over to the Old North Bridge re-enacts Samuel Prescott's alerting of the Town of Concord. A ceremony and demonstration at the field above the bridge in the National Park follows.