Boston commemorates 250 years since Paul Revere's ride, Revolutionary War

Paul Revere's midnight ride is being celebrated 250 years later in Boston.

Revere rode through the streets of Boston on April 18, 1775, heading to Lexington and Concord to warn the minutemen that the British troops were coming.

A quarter of a millennium later, revelers lined the streets, chanting, "Paul, Paul, Paul," the reenactor in colonial garb waving and shaking hands as he prepared to take off.

The ride's reenactment followed a ceremony at 7:30 p.m., hosted by NBC10 Boston's Latoyia Edwards. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey attended the commemoration at the Paul Revere Mall, which included a lantern procession and drone show as Revere is rowed across the Charles River

"What we're celebrating tonight, this weekend, and every day here in Boston is the beauty of possibility in the city that gave this nation its freedom and has never stopped fighting to keep it alive," Wu said at the event.

The commemoration of these historic events began tonight at 5:30 with a historic reenactment at Paul Revere House, followed by a Lantern Service at the Old North Church at 7 honoring the “two if by sea” signal from the church’s steeple.

Then, it was on to Lexington and Concord on Saturday for historic reenactments of the battles there.

People from all over the country have traveled here for these events.

"We want our descendants to know. We are so excited," said Julie Maddox, who is visiting from Utah.

Matthew Maddox..."We have this connection to your ancestors, to that great heritage, and how much they fought and struggled to give us all those freedoms that we have today," added Matthew Maddox.

"I think it's awesome. I'm so excited about it," said Jeanine Withers.

Planning for the Battle of Lexington's reenactment Saturday

The Lexington 250 events run all day Saturday, starting bright and early at 5:15 a.m. with the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington. Then at 11, there will be the Battle Green rededication

Lexington’s Patriots’ Day Parade kicks off at 2 p.m. And finally, the Patriots’ Day concert is at 7 p.m.

“Being able to come back, being able to perform and represent the United States Army, and being able to commemorate the battle that happened in 1775 -- 250 years ago -- is quite an honor for me," Staff Sergeant Jay Healey of the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps said.

"We are the stewards of this piece of land where it happened, so we want to share that with everyone," added Suzie Barry, chair of the Lex250 Commission.

“We have to, I think, reinvigorate ourselves with what happened in the American Revolution so that we can make sure that we remain strong and vigilant," said documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, who is working on a documentary about the American Revolution scheduled for release later this year.

If you're planning to attend, definitely give yourself extra time to get where you’re going this weekend – as it’s a very busy time with so many events – and restricted parking in some areas.