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The Barnum Festival has named Rick
Porto, a long-time volunteer and supporter and prominent businessman, as
its 58th Ringmaster for 2006.
Porto, president of Porto Painting
and Decorating, Inc. in Black Rock, is a life-long resident of
Bridgeport. He established his business 36 years ago, located at 720
Brewster Avenue in Bridgeport. He is married to Jacqueline Aylesworth,
and together they have three children and one granddaughter.
For several years, he held several
key volunteer chairman positions for the Barnum Festival - Fireworks,
Great Street Parade, Whip, Whistle and Watch Luncheon, Parade of
Champions, Barnum Goes Italian and this year's Pasta Fair. He has also
served as chairman of the Columbus Day Parade, Parks and Recreation
Director and Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Bridgeport.
He was the Bridgeport Republican Mayoral candidate in the 1987 race.
He also received the Columbus Civic
Award from the Council of the Italian American Societies and was awarded
the Roma Club Italian American of the Year Award in 1997. He is the
current president of the Marchegiana Society, and a member of several
clubs and civic organizations. He is a member of the Building Trades
Association and the Society for Protective Coatings and the Painting and
Decorating Contractors of America.
Frank T. Gennarini, President of the
Barnum Festival, said Porto has proven his commitment and will bring
dedication and energy to the 2006 Festival.
"I'm looking forward to
working with Rick," Gennarini said. "He's a long-time Festival volunteer and a
community leader. Most volunteers know Rick and he knows the Festival
intimately and will hit the ground running. He brings a lot of good
ideas to keep the Festival fresh and continue our goal to build
community spirit.”
The Barnum Festival began in 1949
and remains one of the longest running festivals in the country. The
Festival celebrates the family, fun and tradition of the Greater
Bridgeport area. For more details, call the Festival at 203-367-8495 or
visit
www.barnumfestival.com.
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