Led by Dr. Camelia Lawrence, the first woman of color to serve as Barnum Festival ringmaster, the annual celebration kicked off Friday with the Whip, Whistle & Watch luncheon.
OIB friend Steve Krauchick of Doing It Local shares video.
From Mr. Barnum:
The whip, whistle and watch are the tools necessary for the ringmaster to do her job and kicks off the 2024 Barnum Festival. High school students that are part of the “royal family” received scholarships rank within the highest 20 percent of their junior class and showcase notable involvement in extracurricular and volunteerism.
According to the Barnum Festival’s website ” 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’.
