Over 200 People Welcomed 2019 Barnum Festival Ringmaster Martin D. Schwartz at Recent Pasta Dinner

Bridgeport, CT - Excitement and anticipation was in the air as over 200 Barnum Festival supporters welcomed and congratulated Martin D. Schwartz of Fairfield as  the 71st Ringmaster of The Barnum Festival. For over 40 years, he has been a long-time community leader and advocate. Schwartz recently retired as President and CEO of The Kennedy Center. 

The kickoff event of one of the region’s best-loved annual traditions, the "Meet the Ringmaster Dinner" took place with a packed, enthusiastic crowd at Testo’s Restaurant in Bridgeport. The dinner was donated by Testo’s and Luigi’s provided an assortment of Italian desserts.  

As an added bonus, nearly a dozen former Ringmasters from the past 25 years were in attendance to show their support. This distinguished group included the following business and community leaders: Mickey Herbert (1993), Michael Bisiglia (1996), Robert Laska (1997), Charles Carroll (1999), Len Berger (2003), Larry Merriam (2007), Mayor Mark Lauretti (2008), Michael Niedermeier (2009), Armando Goncalves (2011), Terry O’Connor (2017) , and John Vazzano (2018). 

“We are happy to have Martin Schwartz as the 2019 Barnum Festival Ringmaster,” said Armando Goncalves, Market President of People’s United Bank and President of the Barnum Festival Board of Directors. “We are looking forward to building on this year’s theme ‘Everyone Counts,’ which aligns with PT Barnum’s legacy to bring fun and laughter to everyone.  Under Marty’s leadership, this year we will have a great Barnum Festival.  He will do a tremendous job representing all our communities.” 

Mayor Joseph Ganim of Bridgeport added, “I commend all of you for organizing this wonderful celebration. It’s a celebration of the Greater Bridgeport region. The great leaders of the Barnum Festival keep this tradition alive.”

During his acceptance speech, Schwartz noted that “The Barnum Festival is an amazing organization that depends on the generosity of the community and the dedication of several hundred volunteers who work year-round on our many community events. Many of these talented volunteers have been involved in the Barnum Festival for 20, 30 or even 59 years.”

“As Ringmaster of the Barnum Festival, I have an opportunity to give back to the community in a big way,” he added. “I am truly honored to lead this major state festival and will be introducing new and exciting events. In keeping with this year’s theme ‘Everyone Counts,’ we will be embracing and supporting people with disabilities and donating part of the proceeds to support special needs children in Bridgeport.”   

Schwartz retired from The Kennedy Center earlier this year. A champion for people with disabilities, he has touched the lives of thousands of families throughout Connecticut during his nearly 40 years as an executive and is nationally recognized in the rehabilitation field.

When Schwartz became the first President and CEO of The Kennedy Center in 1978, this small community-based rehabilitation organization was a grassroots non-profit founded in 1951 by its namesake Evelyn Kennedy and 12 parents.  At the time, the agency served under 200 adults with intellectual disabilities, employed 48 staff, and operated with an annual budget of $776,000.  Now headquartered in Trumbull, The Kennedy Center serves over 2,000 individuals annually from birth through their senior years with a variety of disabilities, employs over 750 staff, and operates with an annual $32 million budget. The agency is one of the largest employers in the region and one of the largest rehabilitation organizations in the State of Connecticut.

Throughout the decades, under Schwartz’s stewardship, one groundbreaking program after another was created providing greater opportunities for people with disabilities.

His leadership ability extends beyond The Kennedy Center and he has provided leadership to numerous community and philanthropic organizations throughout the state and country.  He has served as President of the Trumbull Chamber of Commerce, President of the Probus Club of Greater Bridgeport, a civic organization supporting individuals with disabilities, and President of the Connecticut Community Providers Association, the statewide advocacy organization for organizations serving individuals with disabilities.  

In 2000, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Bridgeport for his humanitarian accomplishments. Other honors  include: the  Regional Leadership Award from the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award from the Bridgeport Dental Association, Probian of the Year from the Probus Club of Greater Bridgeport,  Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut Community Providers Association, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Humanitarian Award, and the 2018 Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Dominick V. Sorge, MD Distinguished Community Service Award.

On the national level, Schwartz has been an accreditation surveyor from 1984 to the present for CARF, the international accreditation body for rehabilitation organizations.  His commitment to excellence is unparalleled.  Since 1981, The Kennedy Center has sought and consistently achieved the highest accreditation from CARF. 

Still active in the community, Schwartz is a member of the Board of Directors Emeritus of the Trumbull Chamber of Commerce. He also holds two volunteer positions at Fairfield University: Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions, and  Distinguished Visiting Professional.

Marty met his wife Elaine while they were both students at Syracuse University.  They were  longtime residents of Trumbull until recently moving to Fairfield. They have two married children and four grandchildren. In fact, when his daughter was in third grade, she was the proud representative for Tashua School in Trumbull for the Lavinia Warren Contest.  

About the Barnum Festival

The Barnum Festival is a celebration of the City of Bridgeport and the surrounding area that was organized in 1948 to help support local businesses and honor P.T. Barnum—a world-renowned showman and city leader. The first Festival was held in 1949. The Barnum Festival events focus on building community spirit, fostering philanthropy, and celebrating the diverse cultures represented by residents. The festival culminates in a weekend-long Barnum Palooza that hosts parades, concerts, fireworks, and other family-friendly festivities. Visit http://barnumfestival.com for more information or  call 203-367-8495.

 

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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