Featured image: The reconstructed North Bridge at Minuteman National Park in Concord, Massachusetts (photo by Cheryl Landes)

The third Monday of April is a state holiday in Massachusetts. It’s Patriot’s Day, which commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. These battles near Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War that culminated in the colonists gaining their indepdendence from Great Britain and establishing the United States of America.

This year, Patriot’s Day is on April 15. To celebrate the holiday and its 60th anniversary, the Concord Band is hosting a free concert at the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center in Concord at 11 a.m. The concert features patriotic and regional music.

One of the featured pieces, “North Bridge Portrait”, is a journey from pre-revolutionary Concord through the battles between the Redcoats and Patriots and the colonists’ struggle to achieve freedom. Hear a preview of the piece below.

The 51 Walden Performing Arts Center is at 51 Walden Street near Concord Center. Parking is free behind Bank of America (look for the signs for public parking). Limited on-street parking is also available.