A large crowd of adults and students was on hand as Kinderhook Village Mayor Bill Van Alstyne welcomed guests and introduced speakers. Kinderhook Town Supervisor Doug Mc Givney read a document proclaiming December 5 Martin Van Buren Day, before laying the traditional black wreath on Van Buren's the grave. Mayor Van Alstyne, Valatie Mayor Gary Strevell, Friends of Lindenwald President Tom Neuhold, Assemblyman Tim Gordon, Martin Van Buren National Historic Site Superintendent Dan Datillio. and Brigadier General F. David Sheppard all paid tribute to Van Buren before laying individual wreaths on the President's grave.

Three fourth-grade students from Martin Van Buren School in Kinderhook Village, Mary Bartkus, Garrett Kilcer, and Schuyler Micare, read their prize-winning essays about Van Buren's life. Martin Van Buren's great-great-great granddaughter Hillie Martin of Chatham, NJ, also participated in the ceremony. The graveside service concluded with a military salute, while a bugler blew the eerie notes of taps into the cold morning air, followed by a benediction.

United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart then spoke. Brunhart explained the history of the commemorative coin series and acknowledged Woodstock artist Joel Iskowitz, who was in the audience, as the creator pf the image of Van Buren used on the coin. Brunhart then invited the other officials to join him for the ceremonial pouring of thousands of dazzling Martin Van Buren one dollar coins from a large bag onto a table covered with black velvet.

After the ceremony, the local and state politicians and officials on hand gave a Van Buren coin to each child under eighteen who had attended the ceremony. Additional coins were available for purchase, and the adults in the crowd eagerly bought up the golden souvenirs.