Groton Cancels Fort Griswold Celebration on the Thames

GROTON, CT- Due to cuts to the Groton Parks and Recreation Department 2017 operating budget, the Department announced Thursday that the 2016 Fort Griswold Celebration on the Thames scheduled for July 9 is cancelled.

In recent years, the Department has rented Fort Griswold from the State of Connecticut for the event and provided port-o-lets and clean-up the day after the event, as well as live entertainment in the evening before the Sailfest fireworks. The event is traditionally attended by an estimated 10,000 people.

The cancellation of the event is one of several cuts made by the Department to make up for an 8.4 percent decrease from FY16. Other cuts include full-time and part-time positions in the Parks Maintenance division and a reduction in transportation for seniors to the Groton Senior Center. The Department has also increased program fees to help cover costs.

“I regret that the Department has been put in the position where we need to make these cuts,” said Director of Groton Parks and Recreation Mark Berry. “We know it is a favorite event for many families in Groton and in the surrounding communities. Unfortunately, faced with the budget situation as we are now, some difficult choices have to be made.”

In an attempt to save the event, the Department sought a waiver of fees and expenses and reached out for additional funding but did not receive the amount needed to continue the event.

Image via Fort Griswold Battlefield Facebook page.