Connecticut’s largest 9/11 tribute, with thousands of motorcyclists from across the Northeast, will return this month for Connecticut’s largest 9/11 tribute.

The 2022 CT United Ride is planned for Sunday, September 11, 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 10, between 11 am and 5 pm, at Captains Cove Seaport in Bridgeport; or the morning of the event, from 8 to 10:15 am, at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.

The Opening Ceremony 9/11 Tribute will begin Sunday at 10:30 am featuring the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, CT State Firefighters Pipe and Drum Corps, and a moment of silence with a fire bell being rung 11 times beneath two fire ladder trucks holding a 50-foot American flag.

The opening ceremony will also include special guests Governor Ned Lamont, US Senators, US Congressman Jim Himes, numerous state officials, several local mayors, and Gold Star Parents Pat Parry and Wilfredo and Vicki Perez.

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.

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

All nine towns and the CT DOT have reportedly granted a State permit for the motorcycles with up to 100 police escorts to ride 60 miles in one continuous line, with no lights and no stops, including a section of I-95 South.

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 in Dodgingtown, at 40 South Main Street, and Botsford.

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 that 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.