Before dawn on Patriot’s Day, a column of musket-bearing reenactors will step off from Stow and march 9.5 miles to Concord — just as the town’s militia did 251 years ago.
The Stow Minutemen Company will hold its 61st annual Trail March to Concord on Monday, April 20, retracing the route Stow’s militia marched in April 1775 after word spread that British Regulars were advancing to seize colonial military stores. The march begins with a predawn muster at 4:15 a.m. at the Stow Lower Village Shopping Center (near the Shaw’s on Gardner Road), stepping off at 4:30 a.m. to the cadence of fife and drum. Musket volleys along the route will echo the urgency of that historic morning.
The march concludes at the North Bridge Visitor Center at Minuteman National Historical Park, arriving around 9:10 a.m. The event is held rain or shine, unless the Concord Parade is canceled.
The public is welcome to follow behind the column and march at their own pace. Participants should be aware that the Stow Minutemen Company does not supervise non-members; all participation is at one’s own risk. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Marchers should bring water and snacks. The route includes three short rest stops and an extended 30-minute breakfast break at Rideout Playground in Concord. Limited return transportation may be available upon request.
2026 Trail March Schedule
The march passes through Stow, Maynard, Acton, and Concord. For those who want to watch or photograph along the route, two locations offer particularly good views of the Company: the volley at Old Cemetery on Pompositticut Road, and the brief stop at Concord Street and Route 27 in Maynard.
| Time | Location |
| 4:15 a.m. | Muster at Stow Lower Village Shopping Center (Shaw’s, near Gardner Road) |
| 4:20 a.m. | Musket safety inspection |
| 4:30 a.m. | Step off |
| 4:33 a.m. | Volley at Old Cemetery, Pompositticut Road and Route 117 (good photo opportunity) |
| 4:38 a.m. | March up Pompositticut Road into Maynard (becomes Summer Street) |
| 5:13 a.m. | Left onto Concord Street in Maynard |
| 5:20 a.m. | Brief stop, Concord Street and Route 27 (Acton Street); volley fired (good photo opportunity) |
| 5:28 a.m. | Cross Route 27 on Concord Street, heading toward Acton |
| 5:43 a.m. | Enter Acton; continue on Parker Street |
| 5:55 a.m. | Cross High Street in Acton; follow Parker Street to end |
| 6:18 a.m. | Brief stop at Cucurbit Farm (10 minutes) |
| 6:28 a.m. | Depart Cucurbit Farm; continue on Parker Street |
| 6:36 a.m. | Right turn onto School Street |
| 6:43 a.m. | Continue onto Laws Brook Road |
| 6:58 a.m. | Pass Hillside Avenue (terrain becomes hilly) |
| 7:15 a.m. | Arrive at Rideout Playground, Concord — breakfast break (30 minutes) |
| 7:45 a.m. | Depart Rideout Playground |
| 7:54 a.m. | Through Concord Rotary; march on Barrett’s Mill Road |
| 8:18 a.m. | Brief stop at Col. Barrett’s House (10 minutes) |
| 8:28 a.m. | Depart Col. Barrett’s House |
| 8:48 a.m. | Cross Lowell Street onto Barnes Hill Road (“Heartbreak Hill”) |
| 9:10 a.m. | Arrive at North Bridge Visitor Center, Minuteman National Park |
Total distance: approximately 9.5 miles
Those interested in joining the Stow Minutemen Company — which welcomes members of all ages and backgrounds, from musicians to camp followers — can learn more at the event. Free fife and drum instruction is available for adults and children. A limited number of period clothing items are available to borrow.
Information provided by the Stow Minutemen Company.
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