Nick Tamposi receives 2024 Fritzie Baer award

WEIRS BEACH — For his service to Laconia Motorcycle Week, Nick Tamposi of Laconia received the Fritize Baer award in front of Rally Headquarters Friday morning.

In receiving the award, Tamposi joins an elite class of Laconians. Previous award winners include former Mayor Ed Engler, Laconia Motorcycle Week Poet Laureate K. Peddlar Bridges, Peter Makris, former Gov. John Lynch and Police Chief Matt Canfield, awarded the honor in 2019.

The Fritzie Baer award has been bestowed upon a fervent champion of the rally each year since 1996. The award was announced at a press conference to kick off the rally at the Colonial Theatre downtown, but Tamposi was out of town. Bridges received the award then on Tamposi’s behalf.

In a brief ceremony Friday morning, Bridges and Laconia Motorcycle Week Executive Director Charlie St. Clair presented Tamposi the trophy.

“Now we’ve got to bring in the youth,” Tamposi said.

St. Clair thanked Tamposi for his support of the event in the past and into the future. 

Bridges said Fritzie Baer was a prominent figure in the development of the rally from the late 1930s to around 1960, and the award named in his honor is bestowed upon a contributor who embodies the same spirit.

“Each year, from 1996 on, the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association has awarded a person of merit in recognition for their service and devotion to Laconia Motorcycle Week,” Bridges explained.

Tamposi said he was thankful to John Spooner, Frank Roche of Roche Realty, Dave Henrick of the 405 Pub & Grill and many others for their patronage and support.