April 19, 2026
Blackfoot–Last night, on the anniversary of Paul Revere’s famous ride to warn the minuteman of Lexington that “The British [were] coming!”, Blackfoot’s America250 Committee and the Bingham County Historical Society brought history alive for the community. Local volunteers and seasoned re-enactors set up a variety of demonstrations and interactive displays outside Ridgecrest Elementary in Blackfoot, and invited guests to experience 1775 for themselves.
One gentleman, a re-enactor from the Northwest Living History Association, discussed colonial military uniforms and demonstrated the loading and firing of a flintlock musket. Another, dressed as a Long Hunter, discussed Revolution-era ranger units and the Brown Bess musket. At a station manned by the Sons of the American Revolution, community members could learn about other colonial-era weapons, as well as early American flags. A third station was dedicated to trade goods and edged weapons common among the fur traders, while a fourth group of re-enactors demonstrated cannon firing.
Representatives of America250 in Idaho brought Spud Revere himself to the event, placing him on a horse in front of a model of Boston’s Old North Church, complete with two lanterns shining from the belfry. They also brought an oversized roll of paper so that event attendees could add their names to the copy of Declaration of Independence which hangs in the Idaho Capitol rotunda.
Shortly before Paul Revere’s scheduled ride, re-enactor Natalie Bergevin (known as Grandma Grizzly) spoke to the crowd about the Stars for our Troops project. She asked each attendee to take a star and give it to a veteran in honor of his or her service to the country.
Following the Stars for our Troops presentation, former Blackfoot’s America250 committee chairman and former mayor Marc Carroll took the microphone to read excerpts of Longfellow’s poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.” He shared the stories of Revere’s companions, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, who carried the warning to Concord; he also told the tale of 16-year-old Sybil Ludington, who made a similar warning ride in 1777.
At the close of Carroll’s speech, Blackfoot’s Paul Revere and two companions rode past the school, ringing bells and warning the community that “The British are coming!”
The evening concluded with a firing of a candy cannon, much to the enjoyment of the children in the crowd.
Blackfoot’s America250 committee and the Bingham County Historical Society plan to hold monthly patriotic events at least through September. For more information, follow the Historical Society’s Facebook page, here.
