'Ride with Eagles' to stop in Hamlin

Memorial Day in Hamlin will see more activity than it normally does when between 2,000 and 3,000 motorcycles wheel into town. For the past several years, the Vietnam Veterans Association has had a motorcycle run on Memorial Day to raise money to purchase "quality of life" items for veterans in need.

Soon after last year's event ended, the Hamlin Fire Department was contacted about the use of the carnival grounds for the 2004 ride. The membership unanimously agreed to donate the use of their grounds for this worthwhile cause.

John Deserto, a member of the Hamlin Fire Department, said this will be the first year the group has come to town. "Last year it ended in Hilton but the response was so overwhelming that they asked if they could use our parade ground for the event," he said.

The number of riders and the amount of money raised has increased every year since the event started. Last year's event started in Wayne County, continued into Rochester with a stop and ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Highland Park before continuing to the Dakota Restaurant.

"This is an exciting thing for Hamlin," Deserto said. "My father was a veteran so I grew up with a great deal of respect for the people who risked their lives to give us the freedom we enjoy today."

The show starts at noon when the gates open and ticket holders can enjoy the vendors, car show, food booths and the start of many hours of live music. At 1 p.m. the regular Memorial Day Parade will start at the K&K on Lake Road and will end at the VFW. A ceremony will follow at the VFW. At approximately 2 p.m. the riders will arrive. Festivities will continue into the evening with the headliner band, Molly Hatchet, winding up the whole show.

Bob Karle, captain of the Hamlin Fire Police, said the traffic patterns and parking accommodations will be affected by the events of the day. Roads will be blocked and alternate routes designated. There will be no parking along Lake Road for the day so visitors should plan on using the field behind the firehouse, the Town Hall parking lot or any designated shuttle parking lots.

Tickets for the ride with admission to the festivities are $10. Advance sale tickets are $15 and at the gate the day of the event tickets are $20. All net proceeds will go to the veterans.