Date Set for GPD Emerald Society Parade

By Richard Kaufman

The last 13 months have certainly been trying, but brighter days and celebrations lie ahead.

Last week, the Board of Selectmen approved a road closure for the Greenwich Police Emerald Society parade, tentatively scheduled for Sept.19. The event will celebrate the GPD’s 125th anniversary and honor first responders, health care workers and essential employees who have worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The parade was originally scheduled to take place last September, but rising COVID cases forced a postponement. Now with vaccinations continuing to roll out, planning can begin once again. The Board of Selectmen will make a determination if the parade can go on 45 days before the proposed date.

“Last year we were all hoping for the parade, but we knew it was kind of a long shot. We had to wait another year. It will still be warm weather, and hopefully by that time we’ve achieved herd immunity. It’s all aligning just right for this,” said First Selectman Fred Camillo.

GPD Capt. Jim Bonney and retired Lt. Tommy Keegan went before the Board last week to request the road closure. The route will begin at Greenwich Town Hall and go up Field Point Road to the Post Road, and down Greenwich Avenue. 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. Food tents will be set up, and food trucks will be in the Board of Education parking lot.

“It’s going to be a big family event. Everyone is invited and there’s no charge,” Bonney said.

Last year, Bonney planned to have NYPD Park Police in attendance, along with a police helicopter, motorcycles, 13 bagpipe bands, a dozen honor guards, Celtic dancers and employees from the town’s supermarkets march in the parade. Doctors, nurses and members from Greenwich Emergency Medical Services will also be invited. Bonney said he plans to start booking attendees soon.

Camillo also mentioned inviting those who have helped clean town buildings over the last year.

“There are so many essential workers that this pandemic really brought to the forefront. It’s a great time and a great way to say thank you to all of them. It’s a wonderful idea and it will be a great pick-me-up for the town,” Camillo said.

Selectpersons Lauren Rabin and Jill Oberlander said they were looking forward to the festivities. Rabin said the town could also tie in Labor Day to the parade, which is Sept. 6.

The event will be put on by the Greenwich Emerald Society, and the Combined Organization of Police (COP), which is a 501(c)(3) organization that Keegan is involved with. Small fundraising is being facilitated through COP.

“This is not something that we as a police department haven’t done in the past. There’s a plan in place. We will manage all the traffic. We expect it to be a great celebration for the town and for the town’s police department. I’m looking forward to it,” said Keegan.

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