June Day Parade. Boston June Day Parade. Drum Head Elections Boston Common

On the first Monday in June an election of the Officers and Sergeants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company takes place. A parade precedes the election and the Company marches from Government Center (adjacent to their Headquarters at Faneuil Hall) to the Granary Burial Ground on Tremont Street. At the cemetery they lay a wreath at the gravesite of Robert Keayne the First Captain Commanding of the Company.

The parade then proceeds to The Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Tremont Street for a memorial service for recently deceased members. The parade then reconvenes and proceeds to Boston Common. At the Common the drumhead elections is reenacted for officers and 12 elected Sergeants. The ballots are distributed, collected and placed upon the drumhead, which is located in front of the Company.

Out-going officers tender their resignations to the Governor of the State of Massachusetts and newly elected Officers receive their commissions. The election is a reenactment of the first election and has continued without interruption since 1638.  The parade is the largest military parade on the East Coast. Attendees may include representatives of the HAC (United Kingdom) and the Swiss Guards (Vatican).

Boston Common is handicapped accessible. A great event for families, children, and veterans.