American Revolution 250th Anniversary Begins At Concord Museum

CONCORD, MA — There's no better place to kick off the countdown to the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War than the town where it began.

The Concord Museum on Sunday will begin a 250-day countdown to the 250th anniversary on April 19 of the battles of Lexington and Concord — where the first bullets in the war flew after years of tension.

Here's more on the festival from a Concord Museum news release:

On Aug. 11, the Concord Museum will host an exciting community event with co sponsor Concord250, and will offer free admission to the Museum to mark the beginning of the 250-day countdown to the 250th Anniversary of April 19, 1775.

While at the Museum, guests can see the actual lantern that was used as a signal on Paul Revere’s midnight ride and other objects that witnessed this pivotal day in history. The excitement will continue on the front lawn with family friendly activities for all ages, including lantern making, fun lawn games, and face painting. The Concord Museum will also host Concord and Acton Minuteman reenactors to add a ‘living history’ element to the event. The evening will conclude with a grand procession to Monument Square led by fife and drum where participants will lay their handcrafted lanterns to officially commence the countdown to April 19.

Northeast Smokehouse Food Truck and the Decant Wine Truck will be on site with food and wine for purchase. More information is available here. Visitors are welcome to bring picnic blankets and chairs to enjoy the festivities.

• 5:30 p.m. — Northeast Smokehouse Food Truck and Decant Wine Truck open, community kickoff event begins with yard games, face painting, reenactors, fife and drum music, and activities
• 6:30 to 6:45 p.m — Welcome Remarks by Concord Museum Executive Director, Lisa Krassner; Rob Munro, Co-Chair of Concord250 Executive Committee; and Undersecretary Sarah Stanton
• 7:30 to 8 p.m. — Massachusetts State Representative Carmine Gentile announces door prizes, followed by the march to Monument Square led by fife and drum
• 8 p.m. — Remarks at Monument Square by Massachusetts state Rep. Simon Cataldo, D-Concord.