MONDAY MAY 25^th, 2026

17th Annual Memorial Day Veteran’s Biker Rally

Ride with us through the beautiful Finger Lakes Region this Memorial Day and show your support for those who served to protect our freedoms!  Return to the Waterloo VFW for a Chicken BBQ Lunch!

Sponsored by:
Waterloo Container and Sessler Companies

Lead by the Patriot Guard Riders of NY
and
The Waterloo Legion Riders

2026 Bike Rally Registration Form

One of the most popular features of Celebrate Commemorate is our annual Biker Rally. The rally will be held on Monday, May 25, and is expected to attract 300 riders. Entry forms are available here, or participants may register at the VFW, 29 West Elisha St., from 8 to 10 a.m. the morning of the ride. Led by riders of the New York Patriot Guard and  Waterloo Legion Riders, bikers from throughout the area are invited to join the “Ride for Respect” to pay tribute to our troops. Riders will leave the VFW at 10 a.m. under the direction of ride captain Nigel Heaton of the New York Patriot Guard Riders. They will return to the VFW by about 2 p.m. where a buffet luncheon will be available.

Friends and families are welcome to attend.  A merchandise table will offer souvenirs for sale.

ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT New York Patriot Guard Riders, Waterloo VFW, Waterloo American Legion and Celebrate Commemorate Event

2024

Saturday May 24, 1pm – 2pm     Oak Island, Pavilion 1
Sunday May 25, 12:15pm – 1:15pm    Oak Island Pavilion 1

Klein’s portrayal of Lincoln brings this American icon to life. He bears a striking physical resemblance to Lincoln. His programs are thoroughly researched, historically accurate, and blend Lincoln’s humor with his great humanity. His ability to adapt to any audience and adapt his program’s content to your theme means that you are guaranteed to walk away with new insight into the man and a genuine sense that you have been with Lincoln himself.

To prepare for a performance, it takes about an hour with costume and make-up. However, if you happen to have Lincoln in mind, his natural resemblance to Abraham Lincoln can be quite convincing. Several years ago when visiting Washington D.C. he created something of a stir when he walked into Ford’s Theater, the place where Lincoln was shot. Though Klein was dressed in ordinary street attire, with his 6’3″ height and Quaker beard one woman screamed outright when she looked up to see him casually strolling down the stairs.

Actor Fritz Klein of Springfield, Illinois has been a professional actor and speaker for many years. His portrayal of Lincoln brings this American icon to life. Klein brings striking physical resemblance as well as historical accuracy, acting ability, humor, and relevance to the audience. Productions vary in content and length according to the need and character of the audience, but you will come away with new insight and the sense that you have been with Lincoln himself. Klein was first asked to portray Lincoln after performing as Lyman Beecher in a local history pageant in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i where he lived at the time. After a number of requests for repeat performances, he decided to begin extensive research in order to write a one-man production on Lincoln. That production has led to many others. He has since performed as Lincoln in 38 states and internationally as well. He and his wife Linda now reside in Springfield, Illinois where he performs at the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, as well as many other venues around the country. In the summer Klein plays Lincoln in a variety of venues in a program called “History Comes Alive. In 2011 Klein was featured in the National Park Service’s recreation of Lincoln’s Inaugural Journey, travelling from Springfield to Washington, DC. and performing for some 5,000 people enroute. Klein portrayed Lincoln in a feature entitled “Lost River” and four History Channel Lincoln Bicentennial spots, as well as the award-winning Lincoln film at the Lincoln Home National Park “Journey to Greatness” by Aperture films of Los Angeles. On President Obama’s Inauguration night, Klein was Lincoln in the first American showing of a German film called “Lincoln’s Last Night” produced by VIDICOM of Hamburg and again featured at the Smithsonian for the 2013 Inauguration. Klein was also featured in the 2013 Ford’s Theater exhibit put together by History Channel. Klein has also done numerous documentary and feature films for National Geographic, Discovery and History Channel including “Stealing Lincoln’s Body”, “Lincoln’s Secret Killer”, and “American Mastermind”. In 2013 the Smithsonian film, “Lincoln’sWashingtonWar” aired in 2013, on the Smithsonian Channel, and he appeared on National television with “Larry the Cable Guy”. In April 2015 a new documentary “Lincoln’s Last Day” aired on the Smithsonian Channel. Recent plays include a 2012 role in the Pulitzer – Prize nominated production “The Heavens Are Hung in Black” by James Still, and a 2014 appearance with actor Carlo Garcia in “Of Mutual Interest – Lincoln and Mexico” before Illinois Governor and delegates from Mexico. In the Fall of 2014 a new Ken Bradbury play about Lincoln’s assassination called “Last Full Measure” opened at Union Theater in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. That play will continue to run in locations around the country through 2016.

President Abraham Lincoln (Fritz Klein) speaks at the American Civil War memorial in Waterloo, New York. As keynote speaker at the annual Illumination Ceremony, He was asked to make some comments about the battles at Gettysburg and his part in the dedication of the cemetery. His comments conclude with his famous Gettysburg Address, recited as only the President could.

Celebrate Commemorate is enjoying its 26th anniversary this year – do you remember how it all got started?

Dave & Darlene Duprey have produced a video that recaps the 5 days of events that took place in May of 2000, which was originally thought to be a one year event to celebrate the turn of the century.“We filmed all the activities so we would be able to show the community involvement and just plain fun that was had by both those who volunteered and those that attended” they. 

Viewers will have fun spotting friends and family throughout the 57 Minute video.

There are clips of each of the entertainers & musicians, as well as craft vendors in the park, the duck race, the car show, boat rides, horse & wagon rides, civil war re-enactors, and the military services at St. Mary’s and Maple Grove Cemeteries. The parade features many veterans and school band members.

The highlight of Celebrate Commemorate 2000 was the attempt to put Waterloo in the Guinness Book of World Records for displaying the most American flags in a single town in one day. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H club members and anyone that participated in the flag count, might see themselves in the video!

Please share this with anyone you know who was involved during the year 2000 or would just appreciate reliving this 5 day event.

Click the link below the image and be sure to click on the notification bell in the video window, to get a reminder 30 min. before the premiere starts!

The video is available at Waterloonytube.com

After being chosen as a finalist in the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) competition, this video was used as part of the final presentation to the panel of judges.

Waterloo New York, the officially recognized Birthplace of Memorial Day. The 155th consecutive Memorial Day Commemoration was held in Waterloo on May 30, 2021. The commemoration started at St. Mary’s Cemetery with a fly over by 5 vintage planes, organized by Lauren Dates. Prayer was offered by Rev. Roy Kiggins from St. Francis & St. Clare Parish, followed by gun salute & taps. Then on to Maple Grove Cemetery, where prayer was offered by Rev. Jeff Haugaard from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, wreaths were laid followed by gun salute and taps. On to Elisha Williams Cemetery where prayer was offered by Chuck Nightingale, Waterloo American Legion Chaplin, followed by gun salute and taps. The ceremonies concluded at Lafayette Park with the laying of wreaths, prayer by Chuck Nightingale, VFW commander, gun salute and taps. Thank you to Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan and Senator Pam Helming for their presentations. https://youtu.be/QDlT72b3a3U

The Village is collaborating with Cornell University to develop an architectural design concept for 38 Washington Street (former Moore’s Furniture). The Village and Cornell University students are soliciting feedback from Village residents to determine the mix of uses for the site. Everyone’s perspectives will be beneficial to produce a well-rounded concept. Please take 5-10 minutes to watch the video and fill out the survey below!

Click here to take the Survey

Click here to watch a short video

This is a short recap of the 2015 ceremonies.