Barnum Festival Ringmaster John Stafstrom greets the crowd on Black Rock Day.
There’s something special about the neighborhood pride in Black Rock, that cool waterfront hamlet that runs east of Ash Creek at the Fairfield line right up to I-95 on Fairfield Avenue. Yes, there’s debate about where the eastern border of the neighborhood ends, but no doubt about the level of community enthusiasm throughout the year, especially Black Rock Day. On Sunday neighbors pulled out their grills, loaded their coolers, participated in a bed race, road race and serenaded the floats, bands, drum corps, little leagues, Shriners and more for this annual parade that runs from Fairfield Avenue to Harborview Avenue and eventually into Ellsworth Field for a community gathering of thousands. It’s one gigantic neighborhood party.
Talk about a government official with a sense of humor. That's Dennis Murphy, deputy commissioner of the State Department of Labor, draped in clown regalia who did a nifty juggling act for the crowd. Murphy is the husband of Barnum Festival Ringmaster John Stafstrom.Hey, it's State Rep. Auden Grogins, the blonde banshee from Black Rock, who received some of the loudest cheers from neighborhood constituents. A number of Black Rockers were asking about State Senator Anthony Musto who was a no show. Considering Musto's unpopular voting record lately no one was super surprised.What's a parade without the popular Shriners squeezed into those motorized munchkin carts. The Shriners are a big hit for the crowd and for the good work done on behalf of children.It's financial watchdog John Marshall Lee with his ubiquitous snow shovel, standing at Midland and Harborview Avenue. Lee's shovel has become a symbol of wayward city services. Midland was one of many neighborhood streets, according to Lee, that never saw a snowplow in the record storm that trapped residents in their homes for days.
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23 comments
What a great parade, weather and Elsworth Field fun-filled event. Big tip of the hat to Phil Blagys and his crew of faithful volunteers for an amazing day! Big shout-out to police Captain McCarthy and his team for a safe and car-free route. Who knew I could buy a nifty new fleece from the Honorable Dave Walker and his super terrific wife Mary manning the tent for BRCC–and thanks to Phil’s wife for holding my purchase. This is a truly great community event!
Mayor Finch didn’t show even though Black Rock pays well over half of all residential property taxes in the city. Senator Musto was a no-show too. Both of them will go in the next election.
Much as I don’t like Finch … his not showing apparently didn’t turn it into a political circus which I am sure you would have loved. BR Day is not about You showing off your ego, Walker. How come you are so quiet about the recent violence in the East End? An innocent teenage girl was shot to death … do you care about anything other than your taxes going up?
BRG,
Several people have told me who you are and said you were a loudmouth and disgruntled idiot whom I should avoid. So I will from this point forward.
Looks like a nice event. I knew nothing about it, but have to tell you today I was a Puerto Rican in New York City. The Puerto Rican parade was exhilarating. I saw so many Bridgeporters there. What a perfect day! On the earlier comments regarding Finch and Musto, I wonder if they were even invited, if so would they really go where they weren’t welcome? I wouldn’t.
Sidebar … Saturday evening at Yale Summer Cabaret, Moliere’s Tartuffe was an exceptional performance going on through June 15. For those of you who enjoy intimate cabaret-style theater with Yale grad students. ENJOY!
As elected officials I am sure they were. And shame on anyone who would have thought about making verbal attacks and ruining the day for everyone. Much as I would have liked giving Finch a hard time, in years past it was not the time for it and shame on anyone who would do so … and I am talking to you JML, with your shovel … was that for you or the horses?
On a more pleasant note it looked liked another great parade … first I have missed in years … glad JML got in the spirit of things with his clown costume.
BRG,
Did not see anyone lamenting your absence. Weather was great! Attendance was high. Bands sounded great! And even the kids from Bassick and St. Ann’s knew the “shovel” symbolized a long snow vacation for them this year, made unnecessarily long from irresponsible decisions made at high City levels. BRG, it is why we study history, to be reminded of what may be coming at us and what may be avoided.
The picture Lennie snapped was at the corner of Harborview and Midland. The Midland block behind me was cleared by private snowblowers. In my block, where the Black Rock Road Race finishes, it was the Captain’s Cove payloader to the rescue. No City plow by the fifth day. So snow shovels are in order. At least until Mayor Finch produces a report based on City meetings about the Snow Job. Time will tell.
Can you imagine what this city would be like if other neighborhoods were as active as Black Rock? It’s too bad other areas of the city are so quiet and inactive.
Andrew C Fardy, that’s very true but there are some reasons some districts don’t get involved. They don’t expect much from government leaders because their questions and request for help have never been addressed. Those issues involve gangs, drugs, crack houses, shootings, robbery, assault, illegal dumping, lack of police response. Mayors come and go, they make promises but nothing changes. Council people don’t want a primary so they are not going to rock the boat. Sad but true.
Ron, what you say IS TRUE sadly. My district is the 138th and I believe the people up here are living in another world. This neighborhood is going to hell and no one speaks out. We have drugs, crack houses, shootings, robbery, assault, illegal dumping, lack of police response and yet no anger from the residents. They do vote up here but unfortunately they don’t really know who they are voting for. To beat the sitting council people we need the Rev. Morton and Ann Barney teaming up and running. I think that tandem will win and change the path up here.
Gee Andy, so sorry your street is riddled with drugs, guns and crime. To think the Mayor lives in that area. I have always loved that neighborhood. It is sad to think the Beardsley Park Treeland area has become a ghetto. Maybe you can still get a few bucks for your property and get out of that G-d-forsaken neighborhood. Your neighbors all concur with you? Well at least Thomas Hooker school and Beardsley school are still good. For now.
Steve, it’s not just my street, it’s the whole neighborhood. In the last few years we have had more than 12 armed robberies, one murder, many stolen cars and a lot of vandalism.
We have very little police coverage up here, our car is the cover car for East Main St and the terrace. Quality of life issues get no police coverage, you are told to go to the PD for a report.
We have no supermarket and one freaking bank.
I have lived here for 70 years and I am not going anywhere. My hope is someday we will get a police chief who gives a shit. Steve, take a ride down East Main Street from Noble to York Street after 4 PM.
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Andy, you do not live by Noble and York. You live in a very nice, quiet area. The shopping in your neighborhood has been dismal for 30 years. The shopping in your neighborhood has improved incredibly in the past three years. Finally there are stores in the food world plaza. A beautiful Asian buffet and Harbor Tools. The plaza up the street is a nice new addition as well. Beardsley Park is still as magnificent as ever as well as Gregg Dancho running a top-notch zoo. Every year Bridgeport free Shakespeare does an incredible job, outdoors at the zoo. I have attended them for the past eight years. I own a condo by the other buffet that finally moved into the old Fairway restaurant. I am in that neighborhood at least five times a week. I still love the Beardsley Park and Treeland area. Mayor Finch’s home on the Park is still a favorite of mine as it has been for 30 years. I cannot believe my perception is so unbelievably opposite of yours. You paint a miserable picture of the City I love.
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*** Reasons are the “squeaky wheel gets the oil” and out of the 10 districts in Bpt there are only “three, maybe four” that make sure they squeak when they need something or something’s wrong! The rest either don’t care, don’t have a clue or simply have given up on the political process entirely. The Zombie virus is alive and spreading throughout the Park City and it’s time to seek a cure, no? ***
Steve, East Main and York is still part of this neighborhood, like it or not. You own a home up here but don’t live here and see what is going on. The racing motor bikes, the loud noises they project. You did not have your tires slashed three times ($3,000 total bill). No police response until my wife filed a complaint against the PD. Come to find out there were three other people who suffered the same fate, same response.
Steve, you come into the neighborhood and then go home to the North End. Did you know about the number of armed robberies?
Steve, I don’t hate the city. I spent 30 years teaching inner city kids baseball. I have spent the last three years trying to make the politicians accountable for our tax dollars. There comes a time when people have to really see what is going on.
What a great parade, weather and Elsworth Field fun-filled event. Big tip of the hat to Phil Blagys and his crew of faithful volunteers for an amazing day! Big shout-out to police Captain McCarthy and his team for a safe and car-free route. Who knew I could buy a nifty new fleece from the Honorable Dave Walker and his super terrific wife Mary manning the tent for BRCC–and thanks to Phil’s wife for holding my purchase. This is a truly great community event!
Next year there needs to be a Bloody Mary stand. Got that, my pretty Grover’s Ave glitter girl? Oh, and where the hell were Tony and Bill?
Mayor Finch didn’t show even though Black Rock pays well over half of all residential property taxes in the city. Senator Musto was a no-show too. Both of them will go in the next election.
Much as I don’t like Finch … his not showing apparently didn’t turn it into a political circus which I am sure you would have loved. BR Day is not about You showing off your ego, Walker. How come you are so quiet about the recent violence in the East End? An innocent teenage girl was shot to death … do you care about anything other than your taxes going up?
BRG,
Several people have told me who you are and said you were a loudmouth and disgruntled idiot whom I should avoid. So I will from this point forward.
The great Oz has spoken …
Looks like a nice event. I knew nothing about it, but have to tell you today I was a Puerto Rican in New York City. The Puerto Rican parade was exhilarating. I saw so many Bridgeporters there. What a perfect day! On the earlier comments regarding Finch and Musto, I wonder if they were even invited, if so would they really go where they weren’t welcome? I wouldn’t.
Sidebar … Saturday evening at Yale Summer Cabaret, Moliere’s Tartuffe was an exceptional performance going on through June 15. For those of you who enjoy intimate cabaret-style theater with Yale grad students. ENJOY!
As elected officials I am sure they were. And shame on anyone who would have thought about making verbal attacks and ruining the day for everyone. Much as I would have liked giving Finch a hard time, in years past it was not the time for it and shame on anyone who would do so … and I am talking to you JML, with your shovel … was that for you or the horses?
*** Not a big deal the Mayor not showing at the B/R Parade since there were plenty of other clowns present, no? ***
On a more pleasant note it looked liked another great parade … first I have missed in years … glad JML got in the spirit of things with his clown costume.
The juggling clown was Deputy Labor Commissioner Dennis Murphy. He’s got skills! Who knew? 🙂
BRG,
Did not see anyone lamenting your absence. Weather was great! Attendance was high. Bands sounded great! And even the kids from Bassick and St. Ann’s knew the “shovel” symbolized a long snow vacation for them this year, made unnecessarily long from irresponsible decisions made at high City levels. BRG, it is why we study history, to be reminded of what may be coming at us and what may be avoided.
The picture Lennie snapped was at the corner of Harborview and Midland. The Midland block behind me was cleared by private snowblowers. In my block, where the Black Rock Road Race finishes, it was the Captain’s Cove payloader to the rescue. No City plow by the fifth day. So snow shovels are in order. At least until Mayor Finch produces a report based on City meetings about the Snow Job. Time will tell.
That is because several people at the parade called me on the phone. They were too busy to listen to you rant on.
Mojo–Homie don’t play that!
Can you imagine what this city would be like if other neighborhoods were as active as Black Rock? It’s too bad other areas of the city are so quiet and inactive.
Andrew C Fardy, that’s very true but there are some reasons some districts don’t get involved. They don’t expect much from government leaders because their questions and request for help have never been addressed. Those issues involve gangs, drugs, crack houses, shootings, robbery, assault, illegal dumping, lack of police response. Mayors come and go, they make promises but nothing changes. Council people don’t want a primary so they are not going to rock the boat. Sad but true.
Ron, what you say IS TRUE sadly. My district is the 138th and I believe the people up here are living in another world. This neighborhood is going to hell and no one speaks out. We have drugs, crack houses, shootings, robbery, assault, illegal dumping, lack of police response and yet no anger from the residents. They do vote up here but unfortunately they don’t really know who they are voting for. To beat the sitting council people we need the Rev. Morton and Ann Barney teaming up and running. I think that tandem will win and change the path up here.
Gee Andy, so sorry your street is riddled with drugs, guns and crime. To think the Mayor lives in that area. I have always loved that neighborhood. It is sad to think the Beardsley Park Treeland area has become a ghetto. Maybe you can still get a few bucks for your property and get out of that G-d-forsaken neighborhood. Your neighbors all concur with you? Well at least Thomas Hooker school and Beardsley school are still good. For now.
Steve, it’s not just my street, it’s the whole neighborhood. In the last few years we have had more than 12 armed robberies, one murder, many stolen cars and a lot of vandalism.
We have very little police coverage up here, our car is the cover car for East Main St and the terrace. Quality of life issues get no police coverage, you are told to go to the PD for a report.
We have no supermarket and one freaking bank.
I have lived here for 70 years and I am not going anywhere. My hope is someday we will get a police chief who gives a shit. Steve, take a ride down East Main Street from Noble to York Street after 4 PM.
Andy, you do not live by Noble and York. You live in a very nice, quiet area. The shopping in your neighborhood has been dismal for 30 years. The shopping in your neighborhood has improved incredibly in the past three years. Finally there are stores in the food world plaza. A beautiful Asian buffet and Harbor Tools. The plaza up the street is a nice new addition as well. Beardsley Park is still as magnificent as ever as well as Gregg Dancho running a top-notch zoo. Every year Bridgeport free Shakespeare does an incredible job, outdoors at the zoo. I have attended them for the past eight years. I own a condo by the other buffet that finally moved into the old Fairway restaurant. I am in that neighborhood at least five times a week. I still love the Beardsley Park and Treeland area. Mayor Finch’s home on the Park is still a favorite of mine as it has been for 30 years. I cannot believe my perception is so unbelievably opposite of yours. You paint a miserable picture of the City I love.
*** Reasons are the “squeaky wheel gets the oil” and out of the 10 districts in Bpt there are only “three, maybe four” that make sure they squeak when they need something or something’s wrong! The rest either don’t care, don’t have a clue or simply have given up on the political process entirely. The Zombie virus is alive and spreading throughout the Park City and it’s time to seek a cure, no? ***
Steve, East Main and York is still part of this neighborhood, like it or not. You own a home up here but don’t live here and see what is going on. The racing motor bikes, the loud noises they project. You did not have your tires slashed three times ($3,000 total bill). No police response until my wife filed a complaint against the PD. Come to find out there were three other people who suffered the same fate, same response.
Steve, you come into the neighborhood and then go home to the North End. Did you know about the number of armed robberies?
Steve, I don’t hate the city. I spent 30 years teaching inner city kids baseball. I have spent the last three years trying to make the politicians accountable for our tax dollars. There comes a time when people have to really see what is going on.