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August 15-17, 2008
The 16th Annual Salute to American Veterans Rally and Festival
The 16th annual Salute to American Veterans Rally and Festival will be held August 15-17, in Winter Park and the Fraser Valley. The high mountain valley will come alive with the sounds of thunder as more than 40,000 motorcycles are expected.
For two decades, the organizers of the Salute to American Veterans Rally and the POW/MIA Recognition Ride have made it their mission to provide a venue in which patriotic citizens of the United States may take the opportunity to honor our true heroes: United States Veterans, active duty members of the Armed Forces, POW's and MIA's, and armed service men and women killed in action.
"There is nothing I have seen to compare with over 5,000 gleaming motorcycles proudly displaying our nations colors as they proceed down the highway. Certainly, there are many ways to honor those men and women who wear the cloth of our nation, but in a state which seems to cherish the free spirit of the west, I can think of no more fitting method."
Steven Maas, Rear Admiral USN
The Wall:
The Salute to American Veterans Rally Committee is proud and honored to bring the American Veterans Traveling Tribute to Winter Park this August.
Better known as the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, the 400 foot long, 4/5 scale replica of the permanent Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC will be erected just outside Fraser, Colorado.
The Wall will be displayed at the Grand County multi-use ball fields just a few miles from Winter Park. Volunteers will be on hand with a computerized locating service to assist visitors in finding a specific name on the Memorial. In addition, visitors to the wall will be provided materials to "rub" the desired names on a commemorative paper as a keepsake free of charge.
Along with the Vietnam Wall, visitors will be treated to a large display of military artwork and photography, a "Greatest Generation" World War II Memorial, a 9/11 Tribute and a large display of gold dog tags paying tribute to those who have lost their lives in military service from 1975 to present.
To view the Memorial online, click here.
The Ride:
The annual POW/MIA Recognition Ride© is Colorado's largest procession of motorcycles. American veterans roll on motorcycles from Granby into Winter Park as the finale to the Veterans parade, and are followed by a heartfelt ceremony of POW and dignitary speakers.
Local Fraser Valley citizens can participate in this awesome display of patriotism by taking up positions along the parade ride route anywhere between Granby and Winter Park on Highway 40. Ride supporters are encouraged to waive American flags and salute the veterans as they make their way to Winter Park.
The Ceremony:
Directly following the arrival of the POW/MIA Recognition Ride, thousands of patriots will gather together in Hideaway Park for what has become the centerpiece of the annual Veterans Rally.
The POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony pays tribute to members of the armed forces from all wars, with a special spotlight on American Prisoners of War, Missing in Action, and those KIA's who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. This one-hour ceremony brings joy, reflection and tears through a variety of presentations, guest speakers, and patriotic music that will inspire the spirit of America in all those who attend.
Annual Rally features:
American Veterans Traveling Tribute (Vietnam Memorial Wall)
Veterans Poker Run
RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Regatta
CNN Warrior One Hummer on display
Veterans Recognition Signature Wall
Huge vendor show
Veterans Parade
Annual POW/MIA Recognition Ride
POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony
Aircraft fly-overs
Blessing of the Bikes
Sunday Worship Service
Ride In Motorcycle Show
High Altitude Tattoo Competition
Wild West Gunfight Re-enactments
Motorcycle only main street parking
Official Rally merchandise on sale
Tentative schedule of events:
Thursday, August 14
Set up the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (outside Fraser)
Vendor set up
Friday, August 15
American Veterans Traveling Tribute, open all day
Veterans Poker Run
Vendor show opens
Official Rally Merchandise for sale
Live music
Saturday, August 16
American Veterans Traveling Tribute, open all day
Official Rally Beer Garden, open all day
Veterans Parade
POW/MIA Recognition Ride arrives
POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony, Hideaway Park at noon
(Guest speakers, fly-overs, inaugural veterans memorial dedication)
Live music all day
Colorado Territory Regulators Gunfight Re-enactments|
Sunday, August 17
Sunrise Worship Service
American Veterans Traveling Tribute, open all day
Tattoo Competition
Official Rally Beer Garden, open all day
Live music all day
Ride-In Bike Show
Colorado Territory Regulators Gunfight Re-enactments
Official Sponsors include:
Town of Winter Park
RE/MAX International
Winter Park/Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce
Winter Park Resort
Grand County
Miller Genuine Draft
Coors Light
Quick Throttle Magazine
Mile High Harley-Davidson
High Country Harley-Davidson
Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson
Sun Harley-Davidson
Bikers Dream of Colorado
Apex Sports
The Army Store
DeLong Ranches
Pro Sports MVP
For more information, please contact Pro Promotions at 719.487.8005 or click here.
Location:
Downtown Winter Park
Contact:
Winter Park & the Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce
800.903.7275 or 970.726.4118 or visitorcenter@winterpark-info.com
Visit theveteransrally.org for up to date information. And to download the official press release, click here.
