VIDEO: A Revolutionary Reenactment on Lexington's Battle Green

History reenacted on Patriots' Day morning.

As the Patriots' Day dawn broke over the Battle Green, a crowd thousands strong stood, along with the Lexington Minutemen, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the British Regulars. They marched on town from the east, as the companies came on April 19, 1775.  And, though it's April 16, 2012, the results looked roughly the same as that fateful morning when American liberty was born. The local militia bravely stood their ground as the Redcoats approached with both numbers and training on their side. Suddenly, a shot rang out, from who know's where. And thus began a brief firefight that left eight men dead, the first veterans to lose their lives in the American Revolution.  This time around, neither the bullets nor the results were real. …

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Five Things To Do This Patriots' Day Weekend

A look at what's going on this Patriots' Day weekend in and around Lexington.

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do this weekend. Lexington Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities you'll want to take part in this Patriots' Day weekend in Lexington and beyond. 1. Parker's Revenge Where/When: Parker’s Revenge Site, near the Minute Man Visitor’s Center off Route 2A, Lincoln; 2 p.m., Saturday, April 14 Why Go: The Lexington Minute Men ambush the British Regulars headed back toward Boston, like Capt. John Parker’s local militia did April 19, 1775 to exact revenge for then men lost that morning on the town green. Pricing: Free 2. Tower Park Battle Where/When: Tower Park, Mass Ave.; 4 p.m., Saturday, April 14 Why Go: …

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PHOTOS: Meriam's Corner Events Held This Weekend

Images from the warm up to next week's Patriots' Day events throughout the area.

  When I moved to Concord in 1997 I was delighted to see beyond my backyard a reenactment of the battle at Meriam's Corner. The town of Concord holds the Meriam's Corner events on the Saturday before the Patriots' Day weekend. They held the battle reenactment every year, when the weather was good, culminating in 2000 when they held 225th anniversary of the actual battle. That day, more than 200 reenactors from all over the United States and Britain fought for the glory of their ancestors. The battle ground was set up as the British Regulars took there time in retreating back to Boston after they were driven off the Concord's North Bridge by the assembled Patriots. By the time the British got to Meriam's Corner, Patriot minutemen and …

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Photo Gallery: Bustling Crowds and Booming Gunfire at Lexington's Battle Green

Early morning reenactment

Red tail lights rolled into Lexington like British Redcoats in Patriots' Day predawn. It was well before 5 a.m., as a crowd thousands strong gathered 'round Lexington's Battle Green, anticipation hanging thick as the midnight blue sky gave way to a slightly lighter hue. They knew what was going to happen. They knew minute men would fall before the muskets of the British. But they still wanted to see it, to re-live the Battle of Lexington, the history that formed this nation. Some brought ladders. Some bought tri-corn hats and coffees. Still more held cameras above their heads, awaiting the arrival of Capt. John Parker, Paul Revere, minute men and Redcoats. "Growing up around here, it's been like, 'Oh yea, yea, yea,'" said Julie Martinez, …

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