From House To Home

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In 1949, Bridgeport was suffering from the economic down-turn that came about after the war ended. Known as the arsenal center of the world for its production of tanks, bullets, guns, and airplanes during the war, the years following were tough for the community. Herman Steinkraus, a leading industrialist, came up with the idea of a festival to get the community happy again and out spending time with their families, friends, neighbors, and community. What was established was the Barnum Festival, an elaborate event that is celebrating its 60th year this summer. The festival kicked off April 19, and events continue throughout the summer until July 28.

Named after the famous P.T. Barnum, a long-time resident of Bridgeport and world-famous showman known for his circus and his museum full of hoaxes and ballyhoo, this event is centered on doing what Barnum did best—entertaining and wowing audiences.

During Barnum’s lifetime, he had a kind of royal company including Tom Thumb, the world’s smallest man, and his wife, Lavinia Warren. These and others visited the Queen of England along with an elephant. Barnum found and brought to the United States the “Swedish Nightingale,“ Jenny Lind, whose soprano voice was reputed to be unparalleled.

Today, as in the early years of the festival, there is a new royal court crowned every year to hold audience during the run of the events. Third and fourth graders are selected to play the roles of Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren. American Jenny Lind performs along with a Swedish Jenny Lind in an evening concert. Additionally, among high-school students, there is an elected King, Queen, Prince, and Princess who reside among the royal court of the festival as well. This year’s ringmaster is the Mayor of Shelton, Mark Lauretti.

Bill Murphy, the current president of the Festival, former 1992 ring master, and life-long resident of Bridgeport, first got involved in the festival in 1969 because he wanted to help his girls get into clowning. He says, “We’ve been doing this for 60 years. We have a huge street parade. We also have two Ballyhoo parades. The Wing Ding—a parade for kids, by kids, and about kids—is set for June 21. The kids decorate their wagons; their parents make costumes. They march in their own parade, and the venue that we have for this parade is not the streets of Bridgeport; it goes right through the Connecticut Zoo.“ With free admission until 12:30 p.m. that day, the zoo sees nearly 3,000 attendees to watch the parade and walk through the zoo.

Times have changed since 1949, but the feeling of fun and festival has not.

Beyond these events, there is also a senior citizens band that puts on a sold-out concert every year. Fireworks are a part of the festivities as well as an antique car show, a golf classic, the Ringmaster’s ball, and many other events that are certain to entertain both young and old alike.

One of the events that Murphy thinks is most important is the Barnum Festival Road Show. Designed to go into 16 nursing homes in the area, this traveling show, which runs like a variety or minstrel show, has an advance team that gets to the home to prepare the residents. The show brings clowns, balloons, and acts that delight the residents, many of whom attended the other festivals in past years. Murphy says, “This is one of the most rewarding programs that we have among the entire list of events.“

Times have changed since 1949, but the feeling of fun and festival has not. Murphy encourages everyone to come out to as many events as possible. He says, “People should come for the same reasons that people came to the first one in 1949. Come to enjoy your families, neighbors, and friends for 100 percent family-oriented entertainment. It’s an opportunity to see and feel and touch what goes on in the community from a family perspective.“ Now, that’s the greatest show on earth!

For more information, visit www.barnumfestival.com.