2012 Barnum Festival King & Queen Crowned

The six newest members of the 2012 Barnum Festival Royal Family were selected Sunday at the Holiday Inn.

This year’s king is John Shannon, a student at Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport.

Reim Alian, a Derby High School student, was crowned queen.

Andre Escaleira Jr., a student at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport, and Robert Roehrich, a student at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, were named princes.

Alexandra Corsi, a student at Foran High School in Milford, and Samantha Carroll, a student at Bunnell High School in Stratford, were named princesses.

The new royal family was chosen from a pool of applicants from 19 schools in greater Bridgeport.

The contestants were interviewed by a panel of five judges who chose the winners based on their records of academic leadership, enthusiasm and social skills.

The royal court will play a key role in the 64th annual Barnum Festival, which began this month and will continue through late September.

Some of the top upcoming festival events include the Ringmaster’s Ball on June 2, the Wing Ding Parade on June 16 and the Great Street Parade on July 1.

In 1948, so that Barnum’s “kind acts may live forever,” Steinkraus and community leaders established the Barnum Festival, saluting Barnum and the people and events that made him the greatest showman on earth.