Lexington's 300th: It's Finally Here

Tomorrow begins a celebration 300 years in the making. 

From the sold-out opening ceremonies on Saturday morning through the Lexington Symphony’s world premiere on Sunday afternoon, this weekend marks the start of a nine-month birthday bash celebrating the town’s tercentennial anniversary.

With events going on across town throughout the weekend, we're breaking down the what, the when, the where and the how.

Events

Opening Ceremony: Attendees of the sold out opening ceremonies will enjoy Lexington's talented musicians, singers, poets, performers, and a few surprises before the Cary Hall crowd migrates over to LHS for a community sing-a-long of "Happy Birthday." Where: Cary Memorial Building 1605 Massachusetts Ave. and Lexington High School, 251 Waltham St. When: 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 22

Lexington Chamber of Commerce Autumn & Fine Arts Festival: An annual festival featuring original, fine hand-crafted items including: pottery, handmade soaps, stained glass, jewerly, American doll clothes, ceramics, woodwork, paintings, photography, clothing, fiber arts and more. Where: Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Ave When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22

Lexington 300th All-Town Picnic & Country Fair: The Country Fair will highlight the past, present and future with activities that range from old-fashioned colonial field games to more modern contests. Community businesses and organization will be setting up booths and a raffle table will feature original creations from Lexingtonians. Where: Hastings Park Mass Ave & Worthen Road When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22

12th Biennial Art-a-Blooming in Lexington: It's a local version of Art-in-Bloom featuring 34 unique floral interpretations arranged by Lexington Field & Garden Club designers of a variety of beautiful works of art created by Lexington Arts & Crafts Society members. Where Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, 130 Waltham St., When 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept 22 and Sunday, Sept. 23

All-Town Photograph: Two photographers will take panoramic photos of a crowd of Lexingtonians gathered to celebrate the start of the town's 300th birthday celebration. Additionally, there will be live music by Hanscom's rock band, the Afterburners, and there are rumors of a flash dance while people are gathering. Where Center of the track at the Center Recreation Complex, 90 Worthen Road When 11:45 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 22

Lexington 300th Dance Revolution: Dancing through the ages begins with dance instructors teaching New England-style, colonial-era folk dances, and waltz and swing dancing of the 19th and 20th centuries. Then a DJ takes over at 8 p.m., who'll play everything from Elvis and the Beatles to Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. Where Lexington High School, 251 Waltham St When 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22

Antiques at the Depot: The Lexington Historical Society will present its first annual "Antiques at the Depot," a multi-dealer show inside and behind the Society's offices at the Lexington Depot in Lexington Center. Up to 70 dealers from all over New England will display for sale a wide selection of antiques, vintage and decorative items. Where Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Sq When 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lexington Symphony Season Opener: Lexington Symphony’s season opens with a program in honor of Lexington’s 300th anniversary. Talented young composer Sky Macklay has written a piece in honor of this anniversary: Dissolving Bands. In addition, the symphony will perform two exciting works of music dedicated to the love of place and of the city; Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon‘s City Scape and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ impressionistic “London” symphony. Where Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington When 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 23

Getting There

Expecting an enthusiastic crowd for the fair, the Lexington 300th Committee is encouraging attendees to use alternative transportation and has established satellite parking lots with shuttle bus service. Read about the transportation alternatives.