On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a large contingent of motorcycles, joined by a police escort, will roll through Newtown and other area towns to honor those who died on September 11, 2001.

The 20th CT United Ride will pass through town around noon that day, following a similar route as years past.

Last year’s ride, which would have been the event’s 20th annual outing, was among the COVID cancellations.

The ride this year will begin at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport — a new starting point — but will then follow its traditional route through Fairfield County.

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.

The motorcade will depart from Westport at 11:30 am and head west, then north, 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, and continuing on Park Avenue through Bridgeport and down to Seaside Park.

Arrival in Seaside Park is approximately 1:15 pm.

In addition to a few thousand motorcycles participating, an escort division of motorcycle police from multiple departments leads and follows the riders. As a result, side roads are closed the ride passes through each section of town.

Attendance is expected to reach 3,000 to 5,000 participants, as well as 15,000 spectators lined up along the ten-town, 60-mile motorcade route. Participants and spectators are invited to display and wave American flags.

In addition, there will be multiple fire trucks stopped along the route, among them up to 24 aerial fire trucks holding 50-foot American flags suspended over the roadway, including locations in Newtown.

As well as honoring 9/11, this year’s ride is dedicated to Connecticut State Trooper First Class Eugene Kenneth Baron, Jr, who died in May 2020 from cancer contracted while he assisted at Ground Zero; New Haven firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr, who died in May 2021 from injuries sustained on the scene of a house fire; and New Haven Fire Lieutenant Samod Rankins, who was critically injured in the same house fire that took the life of Torres.

Participation Details

The cost is $30 per rider and $30 per passenger.

Organizers are urging those planning to participate to visit ctunitedride.com to read up on the updated safety and conduct rules for riders and passengers.

Registration for this year’s ride is scheduled for Friday, September 10, 11 am to 6 pm, at Captain’s Cove Marina, Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport; and Saturday, September 11, 8:30 to 10:30 am, at Sherwood Island State Park. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website (select Registration) and filled in before arriving at either registration location.