June 19, 2008

People's United Community Foundation Sponsors The Barnum Festival Parade Featuring "The Commandant's Own" U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - People's United Community Foundation has once again demonstrated its commitment to the city of Bridgeport and the state of Connecticut. As the lead sponsor of The Barnum Festival's Great Street Parade, they will be underwriting the largest parade in the state of Connecticut on Sunday, June 29.

"We are delighted to sponsor The Barnum Festival's Great Street Parade," said Tim Hodges, President of the People's United Community Foundation, which is headquartered in Bridgeport. "While People's United has expanded geographically, our roots are in Bridgeport and we're pleased to have the opportunity to help make possible this wonderful celebration -- an event that both children and adults alike look forward to every year."

Established in 2007, People's United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities that People's United Bank serves. With special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods, the funding priorities of the foundation include: community development, youth development, and affordable housing.

The Barnum Festival Parade Sponsored by People's United Community Foundation represents one of the few opportunities for the public to see a dramatic, unforgettable performance by "The Commandant's Own," the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, in Connecticut this year. This spectacular display of patriotism ties in perfectly with this year's festival theme, "A Salute to Our Military and Old Glory," as proclaimed by Ringmaster Mark Lauretti, the Mayor of Shelton.

"The Commandant's Own" will present their new Music in Motion program at numerous events both nationally and internationally throughout 2008. In Bridgeport, this well-renowned group will first headline a special performance at the Champions on Parade on Saturday, June 28 at John F. Kennedy Stadium, Central High School, 1 Lincoln Boulevard.

The next day, on Sunday, June 29 they will march in the Great Street Parade, billed as the largest parade in Connecticut. This parade will feature over 150 military units, drum corps, bag pipers, floats, giant character balloons, and clowns. The parade steps off at the corners of North and Clinton Avenues, Bridgeport at 11 a.m.

"We anticipate a huge response from the community to hear the magnificent sounds and see the spectacular pageantry of the world-renowned, 'The Commandant's Own' Drum and Bugle Corps," said Fred Hall, Grand Marshal of the Parade and Vice President and General Manager of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company. "Last year we had over 100,000 spectators at the parade and we anticipate an equally large crowd this year to view the over 150 units, including military units, drum corps, bag pipers, floats, giant character balloons, and clowns. All the drum corps from the Champions on Parade will also be marching and performing in the parade as well."

The 2008 program of "The Commandant's Own" Drum and Bugle Corps will open with an original work composed by the Director of "The Commandant's Own" Chief Warrant Officer-4 Brian Dix. It will honor those who served at the 'Oldest Post of the Corps.' A musical journey through a penguin's life is showcased with a rhythmic and visual percussion feature, The Story of Mumble Happy Feet. Based on a theme by Ernesto Lecuona and made popular by the Stan Kenton Band, they will close the first half of the program with the drum corps classic Malagueña.

During the second half of the program, the brilliance of Dmitri Shostakovich's Finale, Allegro Non Troppo, to his Fifth Symphony will be played. A medley from the Tony Award winning Broadway Show Jersey Boys, will feature several popular songs from 'Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.' As a musical calling card for our nation, John Philip Sousa's The Stars and Stripes Forever will close the 2008 presentation of Music in Motion.

The Barnum Festival was created in 1949 to make people feel good about celebrating the life and times of P.T. Barnum, who was born on July 5. Nearly 25 annual Barnum Festival events salute Barnum and the people and events that made him the greatest showman on earth. The mega-celebration includes parades, concerts, parties, drum corps and the fireworks extravaganza at Seaside Park.

Please call the Barnum Festival at 203-367-8495 or log on to www.Barnum Festival.com, for tickets and information.