LEXINGTON — Due to a Saturday forecast of rainy weather, the Parker’s Prelude festival will take place indoors on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Lexington High School Auditorium. The “Riding Through History” unveiling will still take place outside of the Post Office at 10 a.m.
WHEN:
Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- 10-11 a.m. “Riding Through History” unveiling at the Lexington Post Office
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Parker’s Prelude at the Lexington High School Auditorium
- 11-11:45 a.m. Lexington Bicentennial Band & Concord Band
- 12-12:20 p.m. William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps
- 12:30-12:45 p.m. Children’s Community Chorus
- 1-1:15 p.m. Cake Cutting and Singing of “Happy Birthday”
- 1:15 -2 p.m. Jamaica Plain Honk Band
WHERE:
- Riding Through History Unveiling: Lexington Post Office, 1661 Massachusetts Ave.
- Parker’s Prelude: Lexington High School Auditorium, 251 Waltham St.
WHAT:
Starting at the Lexington Post Office at 10 a.m., a series of four life-size, fiberglass horses that reflect Lexington’s history and pay homage to Paul Revere’s ride will be unveiled throughout town during a ceremony.
Opening remarks about the project will be shared, and visitors are invited to walk to each work as they are revealed one by one by the Lex250 Commission.
This event will occur rain or shine.
Artists Howie Green, Emily Bhargava, Dawn Evans Scaltreto and Renee Majkut will be present to briefly discuss their works as visitors walk to explore each piece.
The walk will end at the Lexington Visitors Center at 11 a.m., and the celebration for Parker’s Prelude will commence at the Lexington High School Auditorium.
Following the unveiling, the Lex250 Commission will begin the celebrations for
Parker’s Prelude. Parker’s Prelude is a community festival and the second official event in the 250th Anniversary Celebration of the Battle of Lexington in 1775.
The community festival will consist of activities for all ages and concerts from a series of local groups. The Lexington Minute Men will also use a ceremonial sword to cut and serve a giant birthday cake, created by Wilson Farm Bakers, in honor of Captain Parker.
Seen by many as being the ultimate personification of a Yankee rebel and represented by a statue standing resolutely at the head of the Lexington Common, Captain John Parker was a New England farmer, smith, soldier, and Colonial militia officer.
On April 19, 1775, Parker led the Lexington Militia in a skirmish with British regulars at the Battle of Lexington, where eight militia lost their lives in a successful delaying action against the British.
Captain Parker’s actions of defiance gave inspiration to further acts of rebellion against the tyranny of King George during the American War for Independence.
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