STRATFORD, CT — Close to 400 guests seated in the dining room of Vazzano’s Four Seasons Tuesday night eagerly anticipated the entrance of the 2025 Barnum Festival’s ringmaster.
“And now it is my pleasure to introduce to you the 2025 ringmaster for the Barnum Festival. Give it up for Greg Gnandt,” Terry O’Connor, president of the Barnum Festival Board and a former ringmaster himself, exclaimed.
Music played and Gnandt, clad in the ringmaster’s signature red sport coat, broke through the festival banner in back of the room, causing diners to erupt into loud cheers.
Smiling and waving at the crowd, Gnandt took his wife Peggi’s hand as the couple made their way toward the podium amid a standing ovation. A juggler performed and a woman on stilts danced to the music.
Pasta Night filled volunteers with enthusiasm for the upcoming Barnum Festival, but it was also an evening to honor the memories of two former ringmasters, who recently passed away.
O’Connor had asked for a moment of silence for Kaye Williams and Frank Gennarini. When Gnandt reached the podium, the first thing he did was to honor the two men.
“We’re going to dedicate this year to their memory and celebrate their lives, as they touched all of us and they contributed so much to the festival, and even inspired us to be the ultimate volunteers, which brought us to this position, so it really means a lot,” Gnandt said.
In fact, Gennarini’s influence led to Gnandt being named the Barnum Festival’s 75th ringmaster.
Gnandt asked Gennarini’s wife, Cynthia, to stand and be recognized with a round of applause.
He thanked all of the volunteers who make the Barnum Festival happen every years, as well as the ringmasters who came before him.
Among the guests Tuesday night, were volunteers, board members, former ringmasters and members of the Royal Family, organizations supporting the festival and local politicians.
Monroe First Selectman Terry Rooney, Trumbull First Selectman Vicki Tesoro, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, who is a former ringmaster, State Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, D-Fairfield, Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim and members of the Bridgeport City Council were in attendance.
The night also featured a standup comedy routine from famous Bridgeport comic, Johnny Rizzo.
Tesoro presented Gnandt with a Certificate of Recognition from the town of Trumbull, congratulating him on his dedication to the Barnum Festival and selection as the 75th ringmaster.
“Greg’s real claim to fame is that he’s a Trumbull resident,” Tesoro said with a smile. “We want to thank him for his philanthropic work, including the first Sandy Hook memorial, the Green Ribbon Ride, Swim Across the Sound, and for you and Peggi bringing back the Barnum Festival Car Show and Concert and making both a huge success.”
“Greg, I love your focus on family, tradition and children’s charities this year, and I wish you great success,” Testoro said.
Gnandt, who has been a Shriner for over 20 years, will collaborate with the nonprofit to raise money for the Shriners Children’s Hospital.
He said half the proceeds from The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience with Joby Rodgers, to be held at the Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport on March 15, will benefit the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield.
Gnandt said all or part of the Barnum Festival’s Road Show will visit the hospital to spend time with the children.
Cards at the tables had a listing of all of the 2025 Barnum Festival’s events. To see the schedule, visit the website.
“We have 17 full events, plus our Royal Family, plus our road show, so we have a very busy calendar,” Gnandt said.
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