The 3rd Annual Spc Christopher Patterson Memorial Motorcycle Ride is quickly approaching!
Christopher had talked about wanting to get a motorcycle when he returned home from his deployment. This event was started by the foundation at the suggestion of his father, Bob Patterson, who thought that a memorial motorcycle ride would be a great way to honor his son.
“Chris loved the performing arts! The reason we started the foundation was so that we could support those students who participate in drama, choir, and band. Currently, we give $1000 cash awards annually to an eligible senior at West Aurora High School, East Aurora High School, and Batavia High School. This year we hope to add 2 additional local high schools to this program and to expand this opportunity to the surrounding communities. We started this fundraiser, the Motorcycle Ride, as a way of connecting Chris’s love of the arts with his love for the military. Every year, 2 organizations are selected to be the recipients of the money raised through this event with a focus on organizations that support those causes. It will be a fun day for everyone and we hope to see you there,” stated Robert Patterson, Chair of the Chris Patterson Memorial Foundation.
“I believe that this is exactly what Christopher would be doing. He would have disliked the spotlight of an event honoring him, but he would be riding in other memorial rides as a way to honor the fallen,” stated Social Media Director for the foundation, Rachel Bailey. “It is through events like this ride that the foundation supports programs that are meaningful to who Christopher was and his legacy.”
A portion of the proceeds of this year’s motorcycle ride will be going to Freedom Farms for Veterans in Wadsworth and Immanuel Lutheran School music program in Batavia.
The day of the event, registration will begin at 8:00 am with kickstands up (KSU) at 10:30. The ride will be traveling SPC Patterson’s last ride. It will be an approximately 50 mile, fully police escorted ride. Traveling past the funeral home on RT 31 to Oak Street to Randall Road where it will pass through his home town, North Aurora, to Plum St in Aurora where it will pass West Aurora High School (WAHS) along Commonwealth. The WAHS Blackhawk Marching Band will be playing “Roll On” as the ride passes. The ride will return to Batavia where it will pass by Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hart Road, around 11:30 before heading to River Hills Cemetery to pay respects then returning to the Batavia VFW. Cars are welcome to join the ride!
There will be a post-ride party at the Batavia VFW starting about noon with music, raffles, Two Brothers beer pull and VeteransQ BBQ! The party is included in the cost of the ride, but tickets are available for those wishing to join the party but not the ride itself. The event will wrap up at 2:00 pm.
Tickets are available now:
https://chrispattersonmemorial.org/events/2019ride/
Tickets are $30/Rider and $25/Passenger and include breakfast, t-shirt, and a commemorative patch in addition to the ride and post-ride party.
Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the ride.
Post Party only tickets are $15 and include a ride t-shirt.