By Albert Huang
The Greenwich Town Party (GTP) returned stronger than ever for its 10th anniversary. Alongside rain and shine, the
GTP sold out 8,000 tickets and was at full capacity at the Roger Sherman Baldwin Park venue. The town party was a massive success in stark contrast to the cancellation of the 2020 GTP from the pandemic.
The first half of this year’s town party was more like a town shower. However, the air was still filled with laughter and music throughout the day as locals refused to let rain dampen their spirits. Festivities persisted through the pouring rain.
In the morning, families enjoyed children’s activities, including face painting, balloon artists, bounce houses, craft stations, and more.
The first set of performances was “God Bless America,” by Grace DeLoe and the “National Anthem” by Sgt. Joseph Colavito who sang alongside the Byram 
Veterans Association Color Guard.
“I’ve been attending and volunteering at the town party for nine years,” said Kenna Metter. “I look forward to coming every year and connecting to the people we haven’t seen for years. It’s incredible what this town does.”
The GTP kicked off the day-long music festival with performances on the town stage, which was reserved for performers who had connections to Greenwich.
Brunswick Music Improv, a group of young musicians led by teacher Shane Kirsch, started off festivities. Afterwards Robert Genna Sings took the stage, a versatile singer and vocalist for the rock band, Your Mutha. That’s What She Sang, a rock and pop cover band, followed shortly after.
Roctopus, a rock band originating from Brunswick, was up next performing covers and originals. Paloma Skye, a blues
and alternative rock band, performed both original music and reinvented covers incorporating elements of hip hop, folk, and R&B to their unique sound.
The GTP had a power-lineup featuring the Eagles, Zac Brown Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Caroline Jones headlining the event.
“To me, the ability to bring in top artists to a venue right in our backyards is incredible,” said David Lewis. “The venue might be small but the quality is so great!”
Caroline Jones started the first performance on the main stage. Jones, a Greenwich local and country star, said it had been 18 months since she’d played a full set on stage. Jones has a history of touring with both the Eagles and Zac Brown Band.
Back on the town stage Happy Accidents rocked out showing off their versatility in their original songs alongside classic rock and pop cover songs.
Ray Dalio then took the main stage shortly after, introducing Preservation Jazz Hall Band (PJHP) coming up all the way from New Orleans. Catherine Collins, a New Orleans native who married a Greenwich local said she came solely for PJHB. “It’s gonna feel like being back at home,” said Collins. “Their original venue in New Orleans can fit about 100 people in it, I’m excited to see them perform here!”
Following the PJHP, Shane Kirsch returned to the town stage with his band Rang-A-Boom. The band jammed out to a blend of funk, blues, and rock.
Zac Brown Band rocked out the main stage afterwards. Caroline Jones made a reappearance performing her and Zac Brown’s co-written song, “All of the Boys.”
Between the Zac Brown Band and the Eagles, Charlie King & the Next Big Thing kept the music going. Charlie King is a lifelong Greenwich resident and his band The Next Big Thing is comprised of friends, many of whom are teachers around Greenwich.
The showers finally settled in time for the Eagles to take center stage. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band brought in
Deacon Frey to fill in for his father, the former co-lead singer and front man for the Eagles. “I can’t believe we got to see Glenn Frey’s son,” said Spencer Loweth, “He sounds so much like his dad, It was unreal listening to two legendary guitar players like Joe Walsh and Don Henley right in front of me.”
The GTP is hosted and funded by sponsors of the event, merchandise sales, and auctions. This year’s auction featured 196 items for bidding. Two of the top items of this year’s auction were two guitars, one signed by the Eagles which sold for $8,100 and one signed by the Zac Brown Band that sold for $3,000. The GTP is a 501-c3 non-profit organization. Sales and auctions go back into funding the next event.
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