Concord’s Patriot’s Day Parade is Cancelled Due to Weather

Compiled by The Bedford Citizen

In a near-historic move, John Arena, chair of Concord’s Public Ceremonies Committee, canceled Monday’s Patriot’s Day parade through the town and across North Bridge.

With thanks to the Bedford Minuteman Company for sharing the news, Arena said that concern for the marchers’ safety is paramount and that multiple sources indicated heavy rain, strong wind, and near-freezing temperatures for Monday morning. The hard decision was made on Sunday; in remarks about canceling the parade earlier Arena had said, “we feel strongly about honoring our town and heritage whether thousands of people are collectively watching on a sunny day, or just dozens on a rainy one.”

A ceremony at North Bridge at 8:30 am on Monday morning remains on the schedule.

As of Sunday afternoon, The Bedford Citizen has received no information about Lexington’s early morning reenactment or the town’s afternoon parade.

There are other Patriot’s Day events scheduled later during the week:

• On Wednesday, April 18 there will be an 8 pm vigil at North Bridge, beginning with a lantern procession from the North Bridge Visitor’s Center. “As darkness descends upon the North Bridge battlefield we invite you to come and reflect on the events of April 19, 1775, and the meaning of liberty. The evening ceremony will feature a lantern-light procession, poetry, music, and a recitation of the names of the Patriots who gave their lives on that “ever-memorable” 19^th of April.”
• The traditional Dawn Salute will take place at 6 am on Thursday, April 19 at North Bridge when the Concord Minute Men and the Concord Independent Battery observe the
  opening battle of the Revolution in a 21 gun salute with musket and cannon fire.
• At approximately 10 am on Thursday, April 19,  the Molly Cutthroats, a living history group dedicated to the role of women in the Revolution, will fire a ceremonial volley of musketry from North Bridge. On toward 11 am the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute will make their annual march to North Bridge from the Town of Sudbury. They will fire three musket volleys off North Bridge as a soldierly salute. Shortly after noon, the Henry Knox Color Guard will fire three volleys from North Bridge in honor of our Revolutionary Forbearers.