By Richard Kaufman
Although these last couple months have been stressful and the immediate future remains uncertain due to the coronavirus, Greenwich residents will have something to look forward to in September.
Last week, the Greenwich Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to approve plans for the Greenwich Police Emerald Society parade and celebration, which is slated to be held on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Lt. James Bonney of the Greenwich Police Department, and retired GPD Lt. Tom Keegan, went before the board to discuss the event, which would feature a parade and a bagpipe competition. It will be free, and very family and kid friendly.
Bonney is a member of a local Greenwich bagpipe band, and over the last few years, he’s been pitching the idea of having a parade with bagpipers from all over the region to come and compete in a competition afterwards.
After deciding to do it in Greenwich, Keegan had the idea to dedicate the event to first responders, hospital staff, doctors, nurses and everyone who is putting themselves on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This would be a great way to show appreciation for everything they’ve done. They put themselves in peril to help the town, and I think the town would really show up in force to thank them,” Bonney said.
The event will be put on by the Greenwich Emerald Society, and the Combined Organization of Police, which is a 501(c)(3) organization that Keegan is involved with. The parade will feature classic police cars, fire trucks and convertibles. It will depart from Town Hall and go up Field Point Road to the Post Road, and down Greenwich Avenue where there will be a small reviewing stand.
The parade will then go right onto Railroad Avenue to Arch Street, where vehicles will enter the Horseneck Lot.
All marchers will go north on Arch Street and make a left on Bowling Place, and go into the park behind Town Hall. Bagpipers will play on the field and play en masse.
Bonney said trophies will be handed out to the best band. “We don’t know what the future holds for us, and people might be wearing masks on the side of the road and keeping distance from each other. But it’s an outside event, and rather large so people can have plenty of space to stretch out,” Bonney added. “The actual band people will be down in the pit, and there will be availability for people to stand and sit in the fields above, so it’s not a confined area. It’s going to be wide open.”
Keeping the event in the heart of Greenwich was important for Keegan and Bonney. Keegan said he believes the day will allow the community to come together and let loose. “We want to keep this local. We want to ask the merchants within the town itself to help us celebrate. We intend to use all local vendors and restaurants to provide food and drink to the participants,” Keegan said. “It will probably be time for all of us to let it all out and celebrate something, because everyone’s been sitting on the edge of their seats for the last several weeks, and hopefully this will be well over by September 13. We think this is a great thing for the town.”
The Board of Selectmen agreed. “I’m a little choked up thinking about it. In anticipation, I think it’s just a wonderful idea,” said Selectperson, Lauren Rabin. First Selectman Fred Camillo said hopefully the town will be “on the other side” of the pandemic by September. “This is an exciting thing, and maybe it could be the beginning of a tradition here in town,” he remarked.
Selectperson Jill Oberlander thanked the officers for coming up with the event. “I want to thank you for all you’re doing now, but also for giving us something to look forward to. I think it’s sorely needed by the community, and it’s something to think ahead and be excited about.” Since the theme will be Celtic, Bonney encouraged the wearing of traditional kilts.
He then invited the Board of Selectmen to help lead the parade in their own convertible. “I challenge anyone to keep a dry eye when 300 bagpipers play Amazing Grace together,” Bonney said. “It’s going to be awesome. You’ve never experienced anything like it. It’s going to be really moving, and a good tribute to those we lost in town also.” More details on the event will be announced as September 13 gets closer.
