Lex250 presentation
Re-enactment community member Steve Conners led part of the kickoff meeting at Cary Memorial Library. The committee invited community groups to two sessions Wednesday to share the committee's vision and solicit participation and input. (Erin Sandler-Rathe / LexObserver)

There may be more than two years until the festivities begin, but the Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission — or Lex250 — kicked off its planning publicly on Wednesday by holding two sessions with community representatives to begin brainstorming. Commission Chair Suzie Barry welcomed attendees with a video showcasing past commemorations and setting a course for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, which will be April 19, 2025.

The commission is charged with coordinating Town-wide activities to celebrate the battle itself, as well as the history of the founding of the United States and of the peoples who have contributed to establishing and sustaining the ideals of the nation. Barry and other commission members emphasized several times that the celebrations are open to all and are not limited to Revolutionary-era history. The vision Lex250 set forth is expansive, and commission members urged individuals as well as groups to contact the commission with ideas for programs and events of all kinds.

Lex250 envisions events beginning in the fall of 2024, leading up to the Battle’s commemoration in April 2025, and continuing activities all the way into 2026 to connect to the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Ideas floated at the meeting included scavenger hunts, a culinary festival, public art installations, and a porch party that would encourage participants to wander through Lexington from spot to spot to enjoy live music and gatherings. Events will be aimed at all ages, all backgrounds, and all ability levels, encouraging a view of history that is living, breathing, and as inclusive as possible.

As with prior milestone celebrations, the commission hopes to attract guests from all over: local, state, national, and even international. State Rep. Michelle Ciccolo (D-15 Middlesex) was present at the Wednesday morning session, where commission members thanked her for having already secured some funding toward their activities. The commission is also pursuing an article (Article 8) at Special Town Meeting this fall to secure $75,000 in funding to establish their website and communications, as well as grants and donations.

Lex250 seeks participation from anyone interested to help with their subcommittee work, including community engagement, publicity, event planning and logistics, and fundraising. While their website is forthcoming, they have established an email address and a Twitter account (@Lexington250). Prospective volunteers can also complete a web form to indicate their interest.

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Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the Lex250 Twitter handle. It is @Lexington250, not @Lex250. LexObserver regrets the error.

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