The CT United Motorcycle Ride: 25 Years Of Commemoration, Remembrance And Tribute
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The annual ride which attracts riders from all over the tri-state area and even Massachusetts took place on Sunday, August 30th, beginning again at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. This is the 25th CT United Ride which takes riders through nine Fairfield County towns along the 60 mile route. The weather was perfect, and more than 1,000 riders traveled from Westport, through northern Fairfield county and then on to Bridgeport for a barbecue.
For a quarter of a century, since the horrific attack on our country on September 11, 2001, one of the most prominent of events which commemorate that day, the 2,977 lives brutally taken away, and a grim and lasting legacy, has been the CT United Motorcycle Ride. By now, most of eastern Fairfield County is reminded of 9/11 and the sacrifice of New York’s Bravest and New York’s Finest and so many others.
2,606 people were in the World Trade Center and on the ground perished as a result of the attacks and the subsequent collapse of the towers.
2,192 civilians (including eight EMTs and paramedics from private hospital units)
343 membersof the New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
71 law enforcement officers including 23 members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD)
37 members of the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD)
1 fire marshal of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who had sworn law enforcement powers (and was also among the 343 FDNY members killed)
1 member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 1 member of the New York Fire Patrol (FPNY)
1 member of the United States Secret Service (USSS). This included a bomb-sniffing dog named Sirius.
92 passengers and crew of American Airlines Flight 11 were killed. 65 people aboard United Airlines Flight 175 were killed.
64 people aboard American Airlines Flight 77 were killed. 44 people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 were killed.
The attack on the World Trade Center's North Tower alone made the September 11 attacks the deadliest act of terrorism in human his
Speaking during the ceremony is former Fairfield Police Chief Gary Macnamara. Also on stage are classical and opera singer Jodi Keogan, CT United Executive Director for 25 years, Fred Garrity, Jr., a third person, Peter Brown, President of the CT Uniform Professional Firefighters Association, Westport First Selectman Kevin Christie, CT Attorney General William Tong, Westport Fire Department Chief Nick Marsan, Westport Police Corporal Craig Bergamo and current Fairfield Police Department Chief Michael Paris.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, left to right, Attorney General William Tong, Westport Fire Department Chief Nick Marsan, Westport PD Corporal Craig Bergamo and Fairfield Police Chief Michael Paris salute as the Pledge Of Allegiance is read. Next is Westport First Selectman Kevin Christie, and Congressman Jim Himes with AG Tong. At right, a fire bell is rung which is done often at a ceremony where a firefighter has died in the line of duty. A special sequence—most notably the traditional "5-5-5" or "three sets of five" strikes—was tolled to signify their "last alarm" and final return to quarters.
Hundreds listen to Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums which has been part of the opening ceremony for many years.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums was founded in 1992, and is the main statewide service pipe band.
More than 1,000 motorcycles are lined up waiting for the ride to begin and to leave Sherwood Island State Park..
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Everywhere one would look, the Red, White and Blue dominates the view, with many of the bikes proudly flying Old Glory. This ride brings together many different people from many different backgrounds, all with the goal to “Never Forget” September 11th.
Motorcycle Patrol Officers from multiple area police departments await the start when they will take the lead as the procession winds its way on the 60 mile journey. Representing Westport PD are Detective Sergeant Rachel Hall and Officer Dominique Carr, center of group and below, left.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Riders leaving Sherwood Island will pass under this giant American flag provided by the Norwalk Fire Department.
The riders are on their way onto I-95, led by CT State and local motorcycle patrol units.
Westport FD Engine 5 crew post up at the entrance to I-95 South, assisting drivers who want to enter the highway find an alternative route.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Riders in Trumbull as they near the end of the 60 mile route head south on Park Ave. in Trumbull.
As they head south toward Seaside Park in Bridgeport, the final destination, riders are greeted once again by Old Glory, provided by the Long Hill all Volunteer Fire Department.
Each year thousands of spectators gather at their front yards, neighborhood gathering places and parking lots along the way to cheer on the riders. Here the crowd at Park Ave. in Trumbull show their love for the riders who are, for the 25th time, honoring the thousands lost on that terrible September day.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Long Hill FD volunteers wave as the riders pass under their proud flag display. Below, the last of the riders follow along with an AMR ambulance which rides along each year to be prepared for any potential issue which fortunately did not occur as the ride was perfectly run.
Long Hill Volunteers respectfully fold their flag as the riders have passed.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of the many rows of motorcycles parked at Bridgeport’s Seaside Park as the riders are treated to lunch provided each year by a generous contribution from Bridgeport’s Vazzi’s Catering, longtime sponsor of the event.
Riders enjoy their lunch at Seaside Park picnic tables as they relax after their 60 mile journey.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Vivo Family: Devoted To Service
Of the many amazing folks who rode this and many other years Westport Local Press was honored to meet and speak with the Vivo's, a family which understands the true meaning of service and sacrifice.
Above, left to right, Myrna Vivo, daughter Lina Vivo, and son George Vivo Jr. This was the first time mother and daughter rode together on this year's CT United Ride.
Lina and George served first in the military. U.S. Army Captain Lina Vivo served two tours, one in the Afghanistan withdrawal and another at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Brother George Vivo, Jr. served one tour and was a Senior Airman based at Joint Base San Antonio, TX and NSA Texas, one of the National Security Agency's four primary Cryptologic Centers in the United States.
Upon the conclusion of their military service, both George Jr., and Lina joined the law enforcement community. Lina serves with the CT State Police Troop G, Bridgeport. George is an officer with Bridgeport Police Department and is President of the Bridgeport Police Hispanic Society, Inc.
Above, center and a bit camera “reluctant” is family patriarch George Vivo Senior who is likely the inspiration for his children’s pursuit of service to their country and their community.
The senior Vivo was a Bridgeport police officer for over 35 years, a Detective, Acting Sergeant, and was one of the very first Members for Bridgeport’s Tactical Narcotics and Vice Team TNT with his twin brother John Vivo in the 80’s when crime and drug trafficking in the city was at its highest.
He retired as a key member of the department's accident reconstruction and fatal team where he taught and guided new officers in the field how to conduct multi-investigative traffic accidents and analysis.
The wear visible in the flag above indicates this American flag has more than a few miles flying proudly.
The 25th Annual CT United Motorcycle Ride Roars Through Westport On Sunday, August 30, 2026
This rider from last year makes it clear the importance of keeping the memory of those we lost on 9/11 alive and in our hearts and minds.
Photos and story by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress.com
The annual ride which attracts riders from all over the tri-state area and even Massachusetts will take place on Sunday, August 30th, beginning again at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. This is the 25th CT United Ride which takes riders through nine Fairfield County towns along the 60 mile route. Since this is the 25th year and the weather is expected to be perfect, as many as 2,500 riders or more may be expected to travel the procession from Westport, through northern Fairfield county and then on to Bridgeport for a barbecue and booths of vendors offering the finest in motorcycle gear.
Event Executive Director Fred Garrity, Jr. invites everyone to see this annual spectacle as motorcycles of every kind and configuration roar through towns along the route, which is lined with multiple thousands of spectators each year, to see the red, white and blue adorning the bikes and riders and to support and cheer them on!
See what the excitement is all about from our previous event coverage: CT United Ride, WestportLocalPress
Learn more about the ride at: CT United Ride.com, or email: info@ctunitedride.com
Click on any image above to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport Police Department warns of traffic delays and road closures.
WPD Traffic Advisory:
On Sunday August 30, 2026, the CT United Ride will travel through nine area towns, including Westport, to pay tribute to the victims and first responders of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. The event is Connecticut’s largest annual 9/11 tribute as well as the largest motorcycle ride in the state. This marks the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 which will likely see an increased turnout.
The motorcade will continue to use the established route which starts at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport at approximately 11:30 am and continues through Westport into Wilton, Redding, Bethel, Newtown, Monroe, Trumbull, and Fairfield; ending at Seaside Park in Bridgeport.
The procession travels from Sherwood Island State Park onto the Sherwood Island Connector where the riders will then take Interstate 95 southbound from Exit 18 to Exit 17. The riders will then travel north up Saugatuck Avenue (Route 136) from Exit 17, continue north on to Riverside Avenue (Route 33) to Wilton Road, and across the Wilton town line. The route is closed and continuous, meaning that with the assistance of a police escort the participating motorcyclists drive through traffic lights and do not stop at stop signs.
Motorists should anticipate extended traffic delays along the procession’s route which could potentially last 45 minutes or longer. Although delays are to be expected please be mindful of those we lost 25 years ago, as well as their families who are with us today, as it certainly is a day for remembrance and reflection.
It is recommended that wherever possible alternate routes should be sought to avoid these areas as they will be rendered completely impassable until the entire procession clears.
Staples Girls Basketball Hosts Their First Summer Slam Jam
On August 22nd, the Staples Girls Basketball program hosted its first Summer Slam Jam 3 on 3 tournament at Staples High School. The tournament was held from 9am-2:30pm for grades 3-8. In addition to the tournament, the youth players participated in three point contests and skills challenges with hopes of winning each respective trophy! Over 60 youth basketball players participated in the event and had the opportunity to meet players and coaches from the Staples Girls Basketball Program. It was a fun filled day of competition and was a great day to bring the community together.
contributed photos.
Wreckers Varsity Head Coach Tommy Sparks, left and Assistant Coach Tara Bennett and the Staples Girls Basketball Team with the 3rd/4th grade Summer Slam Jam participants. Coach Sparks led the Wreckers to 2nd place in the FCIAC last year and the semi-finals of the Division II State Championship. He is working to train players to reach varsity level skills.
Above, left, Staples Girls Basketball players Kennedy Do(center) and Presley Heyer (right) pose with a few of the contest participants and above right, Assistant Coach Tara Bennett, Varsity Captain Chloe Smith ('24-25 1st Team All FCIAC, '25-26 2nd Team All FCIAC) , Assistant Coach Jim O'Donoghue all helped run the event.
Head Coach Sparks described the event this way: “The boys team has utilized this is as a fundraiser for their program. We decided to emulate it for the girls and try it this summer. It was a great opportunity to raise money for the program and also created excitement within the basketball community in town. It allowed youth players to interact with current HS players and build connections between the youth and HS programs. We pride ourselves on establishing synergy within the entire basketball community from the rec level to the HS level. Other schools may not do exactly this. They have their own ideas of how to raise money for their programs. We decided to utilize this because it also gives parents an opportunity to see their kids compete in a fun-filled day at their future school".
Coach Sparks told WestportLocalPress, “Fundraising goes towards pre-game attire, basketball supplies, pre-game meals and extracurricular team activities. Generally, the school has a flat rate of funding. We just raise the difference for everything we need.”
Above: At the conclusion of the 3 on 3 games, girls had the opportunity to compete in a skills contest and 3 point shooting contest.
Head Coach Tommy Sparks, Asst. Coach Tara Bennett and the Staples Girls Basketball Program with some of the 5th/6th Grade participants.
Grammy Winner, Icon Bonnie Raitt Thrills Audience At The Levitt Pavilion
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
The Levitt Pavilion had sought to bring iconic recording artist Bonnie Raitt to the Epstein Stage for many years and her performance on August 9, 2026 was the happy result of those efforts and as expected, was more than worth the wait. As expected, tickets for the concert which was part of the Levitt Pavilion's annual gala program sold out quickly and the packed house of close to 2000 attendees got exactly the memorable performance from this 14-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire they were expecting.
Few recording artists can boast the resumé that Bonnie Raitt has compiled during her stellar, 55 year career which began in the 60's plains coffeehouses and clubs while attending Radcliffe College, at that time, the women's college associated Harvard University. Her remarkable talent has been proven to be outstanding in multiple genres, including her deep roots in traditional blues. Bonnie Raitt is widely considered one of the absolute best slide guitar players in blues and rock history. Icons like B.B. King famously called her the “best damn slide player working today”, praising her fluid tone, vocal-like phrasing, and deep emotional feel. Raitt has achieved success and is widely recognized as a top musical artist in both rock, pop, R&B and in her early career, folk genres.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
The audience was delighted when Raitt performed some of her longtime fans' favorites including "Three Time Loser" from one of her early best selling albums, "Sweet Forgiveness", released in 1977. Fans instantly recognized the opening of "Something To Talk About" from "Luck Of The Draw", one of her biggest hits which reached #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 list winning her another Grammy in 1992 and which brought the crowd to their feet again.
Her cover of the INXS song, "Need You Tonight" was followed by one of her most beloved songs, "Nick Of Time", from her eponymous, epic 10th studio album which earned her not only THREE Grammy's including Album Of The Year, but notched her first number-one album on the Billboard 200 in 1989, selling more than 5 million copies.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
Bonnie performed the hauntingly beautiful "Angel From Montgomery", which appears on "Streetlights", a song written by John Prine whom Raitt loved and deeply admired, remarking that she did not perform Prine's music for some time after he passed in 2020 from COVID complications. "Angel" has been called an American Roots standard and Prine, after hearing Raitt's cover was heard to remark that that he felt the song was written just for her. The two performed together frequently over the years and upon his passing Raitt performed the song as a poignant tribute to Prine at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
Her encore also included a cover of the major Talking Heads hit, "Burning Down The House" Her final song, "Dimming Of The Day" was performed on her 1994 studio album "Longing In Their Hearts". The track featured guest acoustic guitar and background contributions from the song's writer, Richard Thompson.
Nearly 2,000 ticket holders stream into the Levitt seating area as showtime nears.
Were You There?
If not, see the wonderful show that everyone enjoyed in this story and photos. Please share with friends!
Bonnie Raitt takes the stage to the thunderous applause of the audience, many of whom are longtime fans.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
Audience members include, clockwise: Shelly Kahan, CEO of Interstate Premier Building Products and wife Joanne, Roger Leifer, Leifer Properties, both longtime Levitt Pavilion sponsors, artists MIggs Burroughs and Kathrine Ross, and Nancy Axthelm, Christine and Jim Corgel.
Above, the Plotkin family, Fred, Janet and Amanda, supporters for whom the Plotkin Family Terrace was dedicated, the Siegel family and friends, Beth and Russ Berkowitz, Evita Allen and friend, Abby Siegel (in black), Peter and Alyson Angus, Beth Berkowitz, and Carleigh Welsh, unknown couple with Shelly Kahan, CEO of Interstate Premier Building Products and wife Joanne, Dan Woog, Jim and Lisa Farnen.
The Annie Lenox song, "Little Bird" was another cover she performed near the end of her set which inspired another "Standing O" as she left the stage. The eagerly anticipated encore brought yet another with the audience welcoming her as she began "I Can't Make You Love Me", also from "Luck Of The Draw" is one of her fans most loved songs and became one of her most successful singles, achieving a Billboard Hot 100 top-twenty spot and a top-ten on their Adult Contemporary chart. There was yet another accolade, In August 2000, Mojo magazine voted "I Can't Make You Love Me" the eighth best track on its "The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
Her encore also included a cover of the major Talking Heads hit, "Burning Down The House" Her final song, "Dimming Of The Day" was performed on her 1994 studio album "Longing In Their Hearts". The track featured guest acoustic guitar and background contributions from the song's writer, Richard Thompson.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
For more than 50 years, Westport’s Levitt Pavilion has been a premier music and entertainment venue in Fairfield county. The Levitt Pavilion Gala & Concert is made possible by lead underwriting from the Arthur and Claudia Cohen Family; the Gala cocktail party which was a prelude to this incredible performance is supported annually by Roz & Bud Siegel. The proceeds from the Gala help support the Levitt Pavilion’s signature free programming. Each season includes over 50 shows presented free-of-charge as well as diverse programming, from May into October.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
The Levitt Pavilion remains an independent and unique not-for-profit organization established by the Westport community in 1973. Now in its 52nd season, the organization continues to light up the iconic intimate amphitheater it built as its home with ambitious programming and dynamic community outreach.
For information about the Levitt Pavilion, visit www.levittpavilion.com