Growing up in his family’s East Eaton Street, Bridgeport home, the excitement of the yearly Barnum Festival celebrations played a significant role for the McCarthy family. In the weeks leading up to the parade, Tom McCarthy, his mother, Catherine, and late father Eamonn, along with siblings, Mary, Sean and Michael, eagerly awaited the family gathering planned in conjunction with the most anticipated Festival event — the Great Street Parade.
“I remember the excitement in the air every summer as the Barnum Festival kicked off,” Tom said. “On parade day our entire family, friends and neighbors would gather to watch the parade on our ‘corner’ as it made its way down Park Avenue chock full of floats, marching bands, dignitaries and pageantry. It was a festive atmosphere and everyone enjoyed the post-parade picnic at our house.
“To me, it defined and framed all the things that make Bridgeport and the region so special — that sense of community, camaraderie and pride in the Park City.
“I was thrilled and a bit awed when the nominating committee approached me about serving as the Festival’s 2026 Ringmaster. It’s a huge responsibility, but I am so excited to carry on this great tradition and take on this role held by so many men and women before me. My family is over-the-moon excited for me, and they are looking forward to celebrating with me and the entire Barnum Festival organization.”
Founded by several prominent business leaders to lift the community’s spirits after the end of World War II, the Festival celebrates its 78th year in 2026. Dedicated to the life and times of the city’s most famous resident, P.T. Barnum, the Festival focuses on building community, fostering philanthropy and celebrating the many diverse cultures of the city and the region through a series of events held throughout May and June in Shelton, Fairfield, Monroe, and culminating in the Great Street Parade celebration weekend in Bridgeport.
This isn’t the first time Tom has helmed a large-scale community event. In 2017, he was selected as the Grand Marshal of the Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration. Given his family’s deep Irish roots — his father Eamonn was born in Ireland — can we expect any special touches reflecting his Gaelic heritage in this year’s festival?
“My Irish heritage is particularly important to me, so we are working on an Irish event to add in this coming year’s schedule.”
Tom’s dedication to and love for the city where he lives is exemplified by his long record of both volunteer and municipal service to the Park City.
For 17 years, he represented the 133rd district on the Bridgeport City Council, 10 of those years as City Council President. A Notre Dame High School graduate, he received his bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University’s Law School. Upon graduation, he returned to Bridgeport and was hired as deputy director of Labor Relations for the City of Bridgeport. He then served as the city of New Haven’s Director of Labor Relations for three years. For the past five years, he has been the town of Trumbull’s Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations.
He also was a member of the boards of the Barnum Museum and until recently, the United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut. He also is a longtime member of the Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and serves as Treasurer of the Barnum Festival Board of Directors.
“Bridgeport has been my lifelong home. I look forward to leading the 2026 Barnum Festival and continuing the great tradition of shining a light on what is great about my hometown and the region and encouraging everyone to enjoy it too.”