The Town of Dighton will host a Living Colonial History Encampment and reenactment of the “Battle of Dighton” on Sept. 26 and 27. (Photo Courtesy Doug Pyron)
DIGHTON — The celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary continues as the Town of Dighton plans a Living Colonial History Encampment and reenactment of the “Battle of Dighton” on Sept. 26 and 27.
“Our Living Colonial History Encampment and ‘Battle of Dighton’ brings the Dighton community together to honor our shared past and celebrate America’s 250 years of independence,” said Pat Gailes, chair of Dighton’s 250th Anniversary Committee for America. “This free, family-friendly event invites residents of all ages to learn, participate, and connect through history.”
The “Battle of Dighton” will be the signature event of the Town of Dighton’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of America.
The event will be presented by Dighton’s 250th Anniversary Committee for America in collaboration with the 13th Continental Regiment/Rehoboth Minutemen.
More than 125 Revolutionary War reenactors will set up in “American Forces” and “British Crown Forces” encampments at opposite ends of the battlefield for visitor tours. Battle reenactments will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27, at 1:30 p.m.
“Although no battle was fought in Dighton in 1776, the spirit of service and sacrifice runs deep here,” Gailes said. “More than 300 Dighton men and boys answered the call during the Revolutionary War, serving as minutemen, militia, and Continental soldiers.”
The battle reenactments will include simulated musket and cannon fire, producing loud and sudden reports. Visitors are encouraged to take appropriate precautions, including the use of hearing protection.
“The ‘Battle of Dighton’ symbolizes our community’s pride in those early patriots and offers a way for us to stand together — just as they once did — to remember their courage and the legacy they left behind,” Gailes said. “By gathering at this reenactment, we celebrate not only the nation’s founding, but the role Dighton played in securing that independence. The event becomes a place where neighbors meet, families learn, and Dighton’s contributions to the Revolution are brought to life.”
The encampment and battles will take place on the Bristol County Agricultural High School’s field behind the barn of the former Wood’s Farm at 1326 Somerset Ave. (Route 138) in Dighton.
The event will be open to the public between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
“The entire community is very excited to share in the celebration of this great nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Dighton Town Administrator Ralph A. Vitacco. “A lot of hard work has gone into the planning of this event, and the entire community is in for an educational and entertaining historical performance.”
Visitor parking is located on the fields in front of and behind the barn at 1326 Somerset Ave. Attendees should follow the directions of parking volunteers. On-street parking is prohibited.
For visitors with disabilities who have a disability parking placard or plate, spaces are located behind the barn adjacent to the American Forces encampment. Please note that these spaces are on uneven terrain.
The event takes place on an open field with access by dirt and gravel paths. Expect uneven terrain, which may pose challenges for individuals with mobility impairments. Rain prior to or during the event may also cause wet or slippery conditions for all visitors. Please wear appropriate footwear.
The Dighton Lions Club will offer hot dogs, chips, and drinks for sale. Coolers and outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted within the festival grounds. Small personal bags and medically necessary food or beverages are permitted.
No pets are permitted since the field is used for feed hay by Bristol County Agricultural High School
Sutlers Row will feature period merchants offering historically appropriate goods, provisions, clothing, equipment and other wares for reenactors and visitors.
Limited-edition Battle of Dighton T-shirts will be sold at the event in addition to a pre-sale at Dighton Town Hall in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a chair, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Email questions to anniversarycommittee@dighton-ma.gov or check the Battle of Dighton info page on the 13th Continental Regiment/Rehoboth Minutemen website for updates.
“We are grateful for the generous support of our major sponsors, including Betty Marsden, a descendant of Frances Deighton, and the Mass Cultural Council,” Gailes said.
The Dighton 250th Anniversary Committee for America extends its sincerest thanks to the following corporations, businesses and individuals who stepped up to sponsor the “Battle of Dighton” weekend.
DIGHTON MILITIA SPONSORS
MAJOR GENERAL
Betty Marsden
Frances Deighton Descendant
COLONEL
Dighton Lions Club
Dighton Power, LLC
Mass Cultural Council
Town of Dighton
MAJOR
Aquaria, LLC
CAPTAIN
Araujo Farms
FJ Torres Insurance Agency, Inc.
Law Office of Robert D. Fredericks, Inc.
Mastria Auto Group
LIEUTENANT
Armin Innovative Products, Inc.
Committee to Elect Jamison Souza
John & Melissa McKenna Family
Peter Caron
Zeke’s Custom Auto Accessories, Inc.
IN-KIND DONATIONS
Borges Bros. Trucking
Bristol County Agricultural High School
Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District
Sarah Arguin Designs
Cathy Potter
Karin Potter
Lois Medeiros
Pat Gailes
Robin LaCroix
Zachary Caron
EVENT HOSTS
Dighton Community Church
Dighton Historical Society, Inc.
Dighton Public Library
Rehoboth Minutemen/13th Continental Regiment
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More than 300 Dighton men and boys answered the call during the Revolutionary War, serving as minutemen, militia, and Continental soldiers. (Photo Courtesy Doug Pyron)
A Living Colonial History Encampment will bring the Dighton community together to honor a shared past and celebrate America’s 250 years of independence. (Photo Courtesy Doug Pyron)
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