10-13 Party NOT the first time “the Avenue” has been closed.

Apparently, I erroneously reported that the Greenwich Police Silver Shield “10-13″ party to aid Officer Antonio Rivera was the first time Greenwich Avenue will be shut down.  The event, to be held at the bottom of Greenwich Avenue on July 12, will mark the resurrection of fundraising on “the Avenue.”

According to one Greenwich historian, the last time Greenwich Avenue was closed was for United Way fundraising in the late ’60s.   Those events were the brainchild of Laura Jenkins and Bernie Yudain and encompassed the entire length of Greenwich Avenue.

Several thousand contributors turned out for these events bringing their own libation.  They would dine in the middle of the street, with tables and chairs supplied by the United Way.   The organizers put on a program in front of St. Mary Church, and at the various intersections, instead of an officer directing traffic there were different bands –everything from swing to square  dancing music — and there literally was dancing in the streets.

The United Way now sponsors “Septemberfest” instead of the block parties.