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Thursday Luncheon In Bridgeport Starts 67th Annual Barnum Festival

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Ringmaster Fred Hall receives his symbols of office for the 67th annual Barnum Festival at noon on Thursday, May 21, at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport.

Ringmaster John Hall will preside over the Whip, Whistle and Watch Luncheon on Thursday. The luncheon is the kickoff event for the Barnum Festival.

Ringmaster John Hall will preside over the Whip, Whistle and Watch Luncheon on Thursday. The luncheon is the kickoff event for the Barnum Festival.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Barnum Festival

The Whip, Whistle and Watch Luncheon serves as the kickoff event for the festival, a monthlong event created to build community spirit and honor Bridgeport’s most famous resident, P.T. Barnum. The renowned entrepreneur and co-founder of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, was also a generous philanthropist, newspaper publisher, charismatic showman, philosopher, humanitarian, politician and benefactor for the City of Bridgeport, where he served as mayor.

More than 300 business, community and professional leaders are expected to attend Thursday’s luncheon. Tickets are $55 are are available by contacting Stephanie Lindley at the Bridgeport Regional Business Council via email at lindley@brbc.org or by calling 203-335-3800.

Hall, vice president and general manager of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Co., will serve as the Festival Ringmaster presiding over each of the festive community events. Hall joined Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat in 1976, rising through the ranks to join the organization full time in 1982. In 1984, he was named general manager and vice president in 1985. As Ringmaster, he joins a long line of prominent City and Festival supporters, including  2014 Ringmaster Paul Timpanelli, 2013 Ringmaster John Stafstrom and 64 predecessors.

“I am thrilled to lead the 67th edition of the Barnum Festival and continue the great tradition of my predecessor Ringmasters in showcasing Bridgeport and the region,” Hall said. “P.T. Barnum founded our company, and I am deeply aware of his roots both here in Bridgeport and across Long Island Sound in Port Jefferson. I look forward to bringing our friends in Long Island to Bridgeport to share in the exciting roster of events the Festival produces that celebrate the city and the region’s diverse assets.”

The luncheon is the first of a series of activities for the Festival. Other fun events in the lineup are:

  • May 30 -- Barnum Sails The Sound
  • June 12 -- Barnum Festival Night At The Bridgeport Bluefish
  • June 13 -- Barnum’s Got Talent
  • June 19 -- Barnum Pub Fest
  • June 20 -- Wing Ding Parade For Kids
  • June 20 -- The Ringmaster’s Ball
  • June 26 -- Greater Bridgeport Symphony Pops Concert
  • June 26 -- Skyblast Fireworks
  • June 27 -- Champions on Parade
  • June 28 -- The Great Street Parade

For complete details on the activities for the Barnum Festival, click here to visit the Festival website or click to open the attached PDF with more details on the Festival.

This article is part of a paid Content Partnership with the advertiser, Barnum Festival. Daily Voice has no involvement in the writing of the article and the statements and opinions contained in it are solely those of the advertiser.

To learn more about Content Partnerships, click here.

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