The 2018 CT United Ride, the 18th annual 9/11 tribute, is being held on Sunday, September 9, organizers announce.

Connecticut’s largest 9/11 tribute, the CT United Ride is the largest single ride in New England and the largest fundraiser for both fire and law enforcement in the state. “For those that lost their lives, for those that gave their lives, and for those that continue to put their lives on the line each day — that’s why we ride,” said Fred Garrity, Jr, executive director.

The route travels through ten towns from Norwalk to Bridgeport.

This year’s ride is dedicated to State Trooper First Class Walter Greene #1297, who volunteered at Ground Zero, led the ride for years, and who recently died from 9/11 illness complications.

For the 18th time, thousands of riders will be in Norwalk for the start of the 2018 CT United Ride.

The event is rain or shine. Motorcyclists’ can Register two ways — the preferred method is to pre-register Saturday, September 8, the day before the ride at Captains Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, from 11 am to 5 pm; riders do not need to be present and can send someone else to register them. Registration is $30 per rider and $30 per passenger. Participants can also register on Sunday, September 9 at 8:30 am at Norden Industrial Park, 10 Norden Place, Norwalk.

Organizers prefer pre-registration. Registration forms are available to print from the website, ctunitedride.com.

An opening ceremony takes place at 10:30 am sharp on Sunday, September 9.

The motorcade starts at 11:30 am from 10 Norden Place, Norwalk, down Route 136 in Norwalk, to Route 33 through Westport, to Route 7 in Wilton, to Route 107 in Georgetown, to Route 58 North in Redding, to Route 302 in Bethel, to Route 25 in Newtown and Monroe, to Main Street in Trumbull, to Old Town Road, to Park Ave in Fairfield, continuing on Park Avenue through Bridgeport and down to Seaside Park. Arrival in Seaside Park is at approximately 1:15 pm.

Visit the website at ctunitedride.com and on Facebook at “The CT United Ride.” As a new rule, riders are not allowed to leave the route unless there is an emergency. Riders who exit the motorcade could allow for gaps where cars may unsafely enter the line, according to the website.

Certain vehicles are not allowed. These include: 4-wheel vehicles or quads, dune-buggy style vehicles, slingshots, Vespas, scooters, and motorcycle trailers. See website for more details.

Attendance is expected to reach 3,000 to 5,000 participants, as well as 15,000 spectators lined up along the 10-town, 60-mile motorcade route through Fairfield County. Participants and spectators will display and wave American flags. In addition, there will be more than 100 fire trucks stopped along the route, 24 aerial fire trucks holding 50-foot American flags suspended over the roadway, including locations in Newtown.

For questions or advance interviews, contact Executive Director Fred Garrity, Jr, at 203-257-2176 or via email at fredgarrityjr@gmail.com. For convenience, our website is ctunitedride.com, and we are on Facebook at “The CT United Ride.”