‘ Everyone Counts’ says 2019 Barnum Festival ringmaster
BRIDGEPORT — Former Kennedy Center CEO and President Marty Schwartz has been named the 2019 ringmaster of the Barnum Festival, and he said he hopes to make the festivities even more inclusive.
“I was very honored and surprised,” Schwartz said of his appointment as the festival’s 71st ringmaster. “The plan is to just continue to provide a lot of enjoyable activities for people of all ages that really bring our entire community together.”
The theme Schwartz chose for the 2019 festival is “Everyone Counts,” a tribute to his time at The Kennedy Center, a nonprofit organization that provides services and programs for those with intellectual disabilities. He spent 39 years there before retiring in 2017.
Schwartz, a longtime Trumbull resident who lives in Fairfield, said the Barnum Festival highlights the best of the community, showcasing diversity and talents. He said the 2019 theme will put a spotlight on the idea that everyone deserves to be involved in the festival and its activities.
“All people, including people with special needs,” should get to enjoy the festival, Schwartz said. “I want to re- enforce that feeling that, beyond the surface, we’re all human beings and we’re all a valued part of our society.”
He said he hopes the theme will get more people involved with the festival and more people aware of the importance of including everyone in areawide events.
“We are happy to have Martin Schwartz as the 2019 Barnum Festival Ringmaster,” said Armando Goncalves, market president of People’s United Bank and president of the Barnum Festival Board of Directors. “We are looking forward to building on this year’s theme Everyone Counts, which aligns with P. T. Barnum’s legacy to bring fun and laughter to everyone.”
The 2019 festival will feature traditional events and some new ones, Schwartz said.
“We just hope the community is going to partici- pate in the festival and support it to the best of their ability,” Schwartz said.
The kickoff event for the festival, Meet the Ringmaster Dinner, will be at 6 p. m. Nov. 27 at Testo’s Restaurant in Bridgeport. Call 203- 367- 8495 for tickets to the dinner, which cost $ 40 per person.
The Barnum Festival started as a show of support for local businesses and to honor world- renowned showman and city leader P. T. Barnum. The first festival was held in 1949.
The weekendlong festivities include parades, concerts, fireworks and various family- friendly activities. For information, visit barnumfestival. com.
“There’s really something for people of all ages,” Schwartz said. “There are a lot of enjoyable things that brings our entire community together. It’s really unique to our area. I’m looking forward to the support of the entire community.”