Barnum’s Birthday Bash In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT — The Barnum Museum invites families and children of all ages to enjoy the annual Birthday Bash for P.T. Barnum, famed showman, philanthropist, and one of Bridgeport’s best-known citizens.

This year’s party is being held on Barnum’s birthday — Wednesday, July 5 — from 11 am to 2 pm at the museum, 820 Main Street in downtown Bridgeport.

The party will feature ongoing activities, crafts, clowns, face-painters, and of course a delicious birthday cake donated by Luigi’s Italian Pastry Shop (the same bakery that provides the free cake every week to the winners of The Bee’s Birthday Cake).

This year the party will also feature mystifying experiments from Bridgeport’s Discovery Museum, a hilarious and magical stage show by Amazing Andy at 12:30 pm, and Jammie the Gentle Clown creating her artistic face painting.

Children may immerse themselves in a variety of arts projects, register to win tickets to one of the October 2006 performances of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey at Arena at Harbor Yard, and be entertained by Stardust Alley Clowns throughout the party.

Back by popular demand, experts from Bridgeport Police Department will provide free and helpful Identification Cards and finger printing for all children. Bridgeport Free Shakespeare 2006 will also be at the party, talking about their July open rehearsals at the museum ending with dress rehearsal on July 15 and then performances of Cyrano De Bergerac at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo.

Storm, the Sound Tigers hockey team mascot, and BB, the Bluefish mascot, will be on hand along with ball players signing autographs.  The Barnum Festival Ringmaster and Royal Family will also be on hand to greet the party guests.

Phineas Taylor Barnum, one-term mayor of Bridgeport and four-term member of the Connecticut General Assembly, was born July 5, 1810 in Bethel and died April 7, 1891 in Bridgeport.  The original museum building, owned by the City of Bridgeport, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is totally handicapped accessible. 

A discounted admission of $2 per adult and $1 per child will be in effect for this special day. As always, children under the age of 4 will be admitted free.

For more information call Deb Rose, at 203-331-1104, extension 102, or visit www.Barnum-Museum.org.