MONROE, Conn. — A 2002 Honda Shadow stood out among the classic cars and trucks on display at the annual Barnum Festival Car Show in Z-Topia, 1545 Monroe Turnpike, Saturday.
Chris Cotto, of Manhattan, dedicated his motorcycle to the memory of Pear Harbor, when Japanese kamikaze pilots flew planes into U.S. ships in a surprise attack during World War II, and when American forces struck back in the Battle of Midway later in the war.
The red and white motorcycle is adorned with miniature American and Japanese flags and WWII medals from Japan. Cotto bought a WWII radio he found at a flea market that he placed beside his motorcycle and he had a 1942 and 1945 lunchbox.
Cotto, who bought his motorcycle in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, found out about the Barnum Festival Car Show online.
“I love it,” he said. “I love coming to things like this. I love classic and, though this is a 2002, I made it look classic.”
Saturday’s car show also featured the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department’s vintage 1975 American LaFrance fire engine, which was included in a Touch-A-Truck area for children.
The Touch-A-Truck also included fire trucks from Stevenson and Long Hill. It was so popular with families that by late morning, Monroe Fire Chief Kevin Catalano said firefighters had to bring more plastic fire helmets for kids after briefly running out.
Sheila Fabrizio sang the “National Anthem” for the car show, which was a celebration of the United States of America’s 250th birthday. The day featured live music from Jukebox 45, a band playing hits from the ’50s and ’60s, and the event had a variety of food trucks, vendors and raffles.
Members of this year’s Barnum Royal Family attended the car show, including the Prince, Masuk High School student Caleb Drew, 16, Princess, Trumbull High School student Frankie Antonini, 16, and Tom Thumb, Fraser Baird, 10, of Stratford.
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