Norwich – For the first time in over a century, Norwich will host the Connecticut State Firefighters Association Convention and Parade, an event that is expected to bring personnel from some 500 fire departments statewide for a three-day event Sept. 15-17, 2017.

Retired Taftville volunteer firefighter Greg Schlough, chairman of the 2017 state convention, gave an overview of the event to the City Council Tuesday — saying the 15-month advance notice isn't premature for the planning needed for the event. Schlough actually briefed the former City Council last year, but with the November 2015 election turnover, he told the new council and city manager he wanted to do a second presentation.

Taftville was selected to host the marquee event as part of the Taftville Volunteer Fire Department's 100th anniversary. The convention will be held in the 800-seat Kelly Middle School Auditorium.

Schlough also made a brief political plea during his 30-minute presentation Tuesday that all city paid and volunteer departments and city political leaders to put aside their differences and squabbles that weekend to allow the city to shine.

“Norwich has a golden opportunity here,” Schlough said. “The last time the city hosted this parade was 1908. There's no reason this city cannot benefit from this.”

Schlough will spread the word among local restaurants, and the city's three hotels already have offered blocks of rooms. The Comfort Inn on Otrobando Avenue is the official host hotel. Vendors will be able to set up at Kelly Middle School to sell to the participating firefighters and supporters.

Although Taftville is not asking for public dollars to fund the $88,000 event, he hopes for city, business and residential support to make Norwich shine that weekend. He asked city officials to consider supporting repairs, including a new floor, to the Taftville station in advance of the convention.

Fundraisers already are being held to raise money for the convention and parade. On Saturday, the fire department will host a clam chowder and fritter dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. for $12 per person.

He asked businesses and residents to spruce up their own properties to show Norwich's best side.

“Sunday, Sept. 17, will be the longest, most grueling day of the convention,” Schlough said. “That's parade day.”

The parade, featuring dozens of new and antique fire apparatus, along with bands, civic groups and VIP vehicles and marchers, will have to start across the Shetucket River in Lisbon, Schlough said. Trucks will line up along the 2-mile entrance road to the Lisbon garbage incinerator, with Taftville in the lead followed by antique trucks from Seymour and Beacon Falls.

Trucks from the six Norwich — one paid and five volunteer — departments, will be positioned to lead separate divisions of the parade, lined up on a first-come, first-positioned basis, he said.

Schlough said he has invited numerous local high school bands to march in the parade. Thus far only the Griswold High School Band has confirmed participation.

The parade with progress through the streets of Taftville, ending at the Taftville Volunteer Department. At the end of the parade, trucks will park at Wequonnoc School and several other nearby parking lots, possibly as far away as the John Moriarty School on Lawler Lane.

c.bessette@theday.com