Welcome to the Barnum Festival
Meet our Ringmaster
Gregory Gnandt
Named 75th Ringmaster of the 2025 Barnum Festival, Continuing a Legacy of Tradition and Community
About:
The annual Barnum Festival is a seasonal celebration of the Greater Bridgeport Area and surrounding towns and its tight-knit community. Dating back to 1948, the festival originated to help support local businesses and honor P.T. Barnum—a world-renowned showman and city leader. The Barnum Festival spans several weeks in an effort to build community spirit, enrich the lives of Bridgeport residents, and give back, culminating in a weekend-long Barnum Palooza that hosts parades, concerts, fireworks, and other family-friendly events.
Upcoming Events:
Our Board Members
P.T. Barnum Foundation
Robert Laska (President)
Michael Bisciglia (Vice President)
Charles Carroll (Secretary)
George Estrada (Treasurer)
Andrew Julian
Paul Miller
William Murphy
Paul DelFino
Anthony Cennera
David D’Addario
Richard Bodine
Hon. Eddie Rodriquez
Peter Hurst
James Carbone
Larry Merriam
Hon. Mark Lauretti
Michael Niedermeier
Thomas Santa
Armando Goncalves
Frank Carroll
John Stafstrom
Paul Timpanelli
Frederick Hall
Jason Julian
Terry O’Connor
John Vazzano
Martin Schwartz
Mike Repko
Mel Cunningham
The Barnum Festival
Terry O’Connor (President)
George Estrada (Vice President)
Charles Carroll (Secretary)
Thomas McCarthy (Treasurer)
Willie McBride Jr
Anthony Cavalli
Gregory Gnandt
Peggi Poulos-Gnandt
Daniel Paoletti
Nick D'Addario
Lorraine Gibbons
Joseph Gaudett
All former Ringmasters and Past Presidents
Festival Officers
Pres. Terry O’Connor
VP George Estrada
Sect. Charles M. Carroll
Treasurer Thomas McCarthy
Former Ringmasters
1949 J. William Hope
1950 Herman W. Steinkraus
1951 Alfred V. Bodine
1952 William Carlson
1953 Thomas S. Frouge
1954 Sigurd B. Swanson
1955 Joseph H. Lederer
1956 Joesph W. Ganim
1957 G. Neill Tobin
1958 Kenneth E. Raine
1959 David E. Cunningham
1960 Kenneth A. Maloney
1961 Bradford N. Warner
1962 Eaden M. Whiteman
1963 Nelson H. Downs
1964 Raymond J. O'Connor
1965 Lloyd H. Meyer
1966 Edgar W. Bassick III
1967 F. Francis D'Addario
1968 James W. Jolly
1969 Robert J. Magee
1970 Nils C. Erickson
1971 Charles Batcheldor
1972 Earle G. Anderson
1973 Leo Redgate Sr.
1974 Raymond C. Lyddy
1975 Edward G. O'Shea
1976 G. Webster Miller
1977 S. George Santa
1978 William S. Simpson
1979 James P. Schwartz
1980 E. Cartwright Phillips
1981 Andrew J. Julian
1982 Arthur L. McClinch
1983 Barton L. Weller
1984 Paul S. Miller
1985 Victor K. Kiam II
1986 Elizabeth M. Pfriem
1987 John S. Kartovsky
1988 William J. Carroll
1989 Joseph T Kasper Jr.
1990 Frederick K. Biebel
1991 Kaye Williams
1992 William S. Murphy
1993 Mickey Herbert
1994 Paul S. DelFino
1995 Mario D'Addario
1996 Michael C. Bisciglia
1997 Robert H. Laska
1998 Dr. Anthony Cernera
1999 Charles M. Carroll
2000 David F. D'Addario
2001 Richard Bodine
2002 Hon. Eddie Rodriguez Jr.
2003 Leonard F. Berger
2004 Peter F. Hurst
2005 James A. Carbone
2006 Rick Porto
2007 Larry Merriam
2008 Mayor Mark Lauretti
2009 Michael E. Niedermeier
2010 Thomas S. Santa
2011 Armando Goncalves
2012 Frank J. Carroll
2013 John F. Stafstrom Jr
2014 Paul Timpanelli
2015 Fred Hall
2016 Jason Julian
2017 Terry O'Connor
2018 John Vazzano
2019 Martin Schwartz
2020-2022 Frank T. Gennarini (COVID)
2023 George Estrada
2024 Dr. Camelia Lawrence
