Cultural Events

CT United Ride Returning September 7

Published: Aug 31, 2025 7:00 am

Connecticut’s largest 9/11 tribute, with thousands of motorcyclists from across the Northeast, will return next month. The 2025 CT United Ride is planned for Sunday, September 7, rain or shine.

The event, says Founder and Executive Director Fred Garrity Jr, is “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.”

Registration is $30 per rider, and $30 per passenger. Motorcyclists can register two ways: Saturday, September 6, between 11 am and 5:30 pm, at Captain’s Cove Marina in Bridgeport; or the morning of the event, from 8:30-10:15 am, at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. Registration forms are available at ctunitedride.com.

Proceeds continue to go to family emergency relief funds for Connecticut police officers, Connecticut firefighters, and two local United Ways, according to the website.

Motorcycle police from over a dozen towns and cities will ensure the safety of the ride. With local town and escort police, in total there will be over 25 municipal fire companies, and 35 police departments involved.

Opening ceremonies will begin in Westport at 10:30 Sunday morning. Each year several local, state, and Congressional elected officials support the CT United Ride at the opening ceremonies, in addition to Garrity and other key event figures.

The motorcade will depart from Sherwood Island at 11:30 am. It will travel through Wilton (Georgetown), Redding, Bethel, Newtown, Monroe, Trumbull, and Fairfield, before arriving in Bridgeport.

Motorcyclists are not allowed to join in as the motorcade passes. Escort police will be strictly enforcing this.

Spectators Encouraged

Attendance is expected to reach over 3,000 as well as spectators lined up along the 60-mile route through Fairfield County. Traditionally there have been 100+ fire trucks out along the route, most with aerial ladders holding large American flags over the roadway.

All five of Newtown’s fire companies have traditionally participated, with firefighters staged at Dodgingtown’s firehouse, at 40 South Main Street, and at Botsford’s firehouse.

The public is welcome to join firefighters at those locations, or anywhere along the route.

The motorcade will arrive in Newtown by way of Dodgingtown Road/Route 302. It will continue on Route 302/Sugar Street into the center of town. At South Main Street/Route 25, the motorcade will travel south, toward Monroe.

Every road along the route will be closed as the motorcade passes.

Motorists are required to wait for the entire motorcade, until the last emergency vehicle passes.

Spectators are encouraged to show their American flags and patriotic colors along the route.

Visit ctunitedride.com or find The CT United Ride on Facebook.

Motorcycles travel north on Sugar Street/Route 302, having just passed the intersection with Hattertown Road, during the 21st Annual CT United Ride, September 11, 2022. This year’s event will again carry a huge motorcade from Sherwood Island in Westport to Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport, passing through Newtown and eight additional towns during the state’s largest annual tribute to 9/11. —Bee file photo

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CT United Ride Returning September 7

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