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Like Barnum, Festival Ringmaster's Roots Run Deep In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Like the man for whom the Barnum Festival is named, Fred Hall’s roots in Bridgeport run deep.

Fred Hall is the Ringmaster for the month-long Barnum Festival in Bridgeport.

Fred Hall is the Ringmaster for the month-long Barnum Festival in Bridgeport.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Fred Hall started working for Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company in 1976. He was named General Manager in 1984 and Vice President in 1985.

Fred Hall started working for Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company in 1976. He was named General Manager in 1984 and Vice President in 1985.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Hall is the Ringmaster for the month-long Barnum Festival, named after P.T. Barnum, the renowned entrepreneur and co-founder of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Barnum was also a generous philanthropist, newspaper publisher, showman, philosopher, humanitarian, politician and benefactor for the City of Bridgeport, where he served as Mayor from 1875-1878.

Similarly, Hall has deep Bridgeport connections. He joined the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company in 1976 as a part-time employee while holding positions on both the agency and client sides in advertising, marketing and public relations. He joined the organization full-time in 1982, first managing the Bridgeport terminal operation before being named Assistant General Manager. He was named General Manager in 1984 and Vice President in 1985.

Hall was named Ringmaster for the 67th edition of the Barnum Festival last year. Each year, the Festival chooses a community member to serve as Ringmaster. Hall succeeded Paul Timpanelli, the President and CEO of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council.

“I am thrilled to lead the 67th edition of the Barnum Festival and continue the great tradition of my predecessor Ringmasters in showcasing Bridgeport and the region,” Hall said upon being named Ringmaster. “P.T. Barnum founded our company, and I am deeply aware of his roots both here in Bridgeport and across Long Island Sound in Port Jefferson. I look forward to bringing our friends in Long Island to Bridgeport to share in the exciting roster of events the Festival produces that celebrate the City and the region’s diverse assets.”

During his tenure as vice president and general manager with his business, Hall has helped transform a single ferry operation between Bridgeport to Port Jefferson to a year-round, three vessel transportation service.

Nearly 440,000 vehicles a year use the cross-sound ferry service. He has served as a board member of the Barnum Festival, and a chairperson of the Barnum Sails the Sound event, and has served as a sponsor to many causes in Bridgeport and in Port Jefferson.

Barnum Festival Board President Michael E. Niedermeier said Hall was a natural fit to serve as Ringmaster.

“Fred brings a unique perspective, and a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to the task of celebrating Barnum’s outsized personality,’’ Niedermeier said. “His long standing in the business community here and in Long Island will help forge new relationships that will enable us to continue to grow the Festival as an economic driver for the city of Bridgeport and the region.”

The next Barnum Festival event takes place on Saturday, May 30, with Barnum Sails The Sound. The event includes a dockside dinner before a cruise on Long Island Sound. The cruise includes dancing and music from “WhatUp Funk Band.” Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online. Click here to purchase tickets.

Click here to see the full lineup of upcoming Barnum Festival events.

This article is part of a paid Content Partnership with the advertiser, Barnum Festival. Daily Voice has no involvement in the writing of the article and the statements and opinions contained in it are solely those of the advertiser.

To learn more about Content Partnerships, click here.

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