Photo: The 2023 Boston Marathon

Patriots’ Day, the Bay State’s homegrown holiday, will this year commemorate the 250th anniversary of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Arlington. Oh, and there will be a road race Monday.

While the first shot was fired in Lexington and the Regulars were halted at North Bridge in Concord, more than half of all casualties that day occurred in modern-day Arlington. Minutemen from surrounding towns converged on Menotomy to ambush the British over the short distance from Foot of the Rocks – at the intersection of Lowell Street and Massachusetts Avenue – to Spy Pond on their retreat back to Boston.

On Monday, April 21, Belmont residents can participate in the celebrations by heading to Arlington Town Hall at 730 Massachusetts Ave. At approximately 12:30 p.m., join the “Menotomy Welcoming Committee” in its annual tradition in greeting riders reenacting the rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes. While awaiting the riders, you are invited to join in family-friendly activities and enjoy light refreshments.

Most of the day’s attention is focused on the Boston Athletic Association’s annual 26.2 miles marathon. It will be a great day for runners and fans as the forecast calls for highs in the low- to mid-60s, with clouds during the race.

So, what’s opened and what’s closed?

Closed

• Belmont Town Hall, offices, and buildings are closed, as is the Belmont Public Library currently in the Beech Street Center and the Benton Library.
• Belmont public schools are closed Monday as they are shut for the week-long spring-time break.
• State offices such as the Register of Motor Vehicles and courts are closed.

Due to the holiday, trash and recycling curbside pickup is delayed a day. If your removal day is Monday, don’t! Bring it to the side of the road on Tuesday.

Open

As it is a state holiday, the US Post Offices on Concord Avenue and in Waverley Square are open as are federal offices.

Star Market on Trapelo Road is open as are retail and convenience stores, eateries and restaurants, and liquor establishments. 

Marathon Monday on the MBTA

While the Red Line subway at Harvard and Alewife will be running on a weekday schedule, buses are on a weekend timetable. In addition:

• Various bus routes on the marathon route’s North and South sides will be detoured.
• Due to congestion, bikes are prohibited on all MBTA vehicles on Patriots’ Day.
• Copley Station on the Green Line will be closed Monday. 
• View the MBTA’s Patriots’ Day schedule here.