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The Herald’s Joe Battenfeld writes that President Trump may yet decide to attend local festivities this weekend marking the 250^th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington & Concord, noting the U.S. Army has said a “special guest” would be attending the celebrations. As Battenfeld points out, a Trump appearance could spark “massive protests” against the president. I can only hope local, state and federal officials are ready for any short-notice visit.

But Concord, where a potential Trump visit seems most likely (if it takes place at all), did successfully host a presidential visit and massive demonstration during the Bicentennial celebrations of 1975. I know. I was there as a youth, watching a little awe-struck as President Ford walked by toward the North Bridge and hearing the distant roar of thousands of “People’s Bicentennial” demonstrators located across the Concord River. It was a special day, with patriotism and protests on full display, side by side. It was classic Americana.

In 1975, event organizers pulled it off. But they had plenty of advance notice of a presidential visit and planned protests, as this 50-year-old NYT piece makes clear. From the Concord Bridge earlier this week: “1975 record bears warnings, lesson for region’s 250^th.”

Fyi – The “People’s Bicentennial” poster above was found here. And the photo of President Ford at Concord’s North Bridge in 1975 via the Concord Free Library.