Jim Carbone, Owner of Modern Plastics,

Named the Barnum Festival?s 57^th Ringmaster

BRIDGEPORT, August 12, 2004 ? Jim Carbone, owner of Modern Plastics in Bridgeport, grew up with the Barnum Festival. As a child growing up in Bridgeport on Pembroke and Jane Streets, he enjoyed watching the Great Street Parade and attending all the events. As an adult, he remained committed volunteer.

The Barnum Festival Board of Directors thought Carbone was the best choice to don the top hat and red tails and named him Thursday the Festival?s 57^th Ringmaster for 2005. Carbone met the public for the first time as the new Ringmaster at the Holiday Inn, accompanied by Spirit, the Festival?s elephant mascot. Carbone succeeds Peter Hurst, the 2004 Ringmaster and CEO and founder of Communities Bank in Bridgeport.

Carbone has an ideal pedigree to be a ringmaster ? a prominent Bridgeport businessman and community leader, who was born and raised in the City for which he still has a strong commitment. Carbone owns Modern Plastics on Howard Avenue, which was founded by his family in Bridgeport 58 years ago originally as the Modern Glass Company. The company headquarters still stand on the same site and is one of America?s oldest and largest plastic distributors and fabricators with three branches in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island.

?I?m excited and ready,? Carbone said. ?There are very few Ringmasters who were born and live in the City. I grew up watching the Barnum Festival as a kid. It?s an honor to be a part of that great tradition.? 

Carbone is a graduate of Bullard Havens Technical High School and attended the University of Bridgeport. He is married to the former Miss Pleasure Beach, Barbara Carbone; and together have five children and 11 grandchildren. Carbone also enjoys skiing and sailing Long Island Sound on his boat, the Plastic Pirate.  

In his business career, Carbone has served as General Chairman of the Columbus Day Celebration. He was also named the Small Business Person of the Year in 1990 and has received many awards for his work in Bridgeport?s West End. He is currently serves as Vice President on the Board of Education in his fifth term. For the last 12 years, he?s been the President of the West End Business Association and the Chairman of the West Community Development Corporation for the last 11 years.

Len Berger, executive director of the Festival, characterized Carbone as a leader with vision and a deep commitment to the Festival and the City.

?We were delighted that Jim accepted the nomination,? Berger said. ?He?s excited about becoming Ringmaster and ready to go. We?re confident that Jim will lead the Festival in a positive direction and leave his mark.?

Carbone, a resident of Black Rock with five children, has several plans for the next Festival. His primary goal is to bring the Festival to various parts of the community.

?I know how to run a business,? Carbone said. ?I want to bring that knowledge to the Festival. I have new ideas and energy to offer. I primarily want to bring the Festival to the neighborhoods and surrounding communities. 

Frank Gennarini, President of the Barnum Festival, thinks Carbone will bring a new energy to the Festival and put his unique stamp on it.

?Jim adds an overflow of enthusiasm to the Festival,? Gennarini said. ?I worked with him in the past when he was the chairman of the Italian Community Council. He brings a great sense of humor and creativity to the Festival that will only spell success.?

Carbone plans to broaden the appeal of the Festival with new events that he expects to carry on the tradition of the Festival. ?I?m not criticizing any Ringmasters of the past, but I?m hoping to introduce a new energy and wide assortment of events,? he said. ?It?s a tremendous responsibility to be a Ringmaster and hope to continue the great tradition of celebrating family, fun and community.?  

The Barnum Festival began in 1949 and remains one of the longest running festivals in the country. The Festival celebrates the family, fun and tradition of the Greater Bridgeport area. For more details, call the Festival at 203-367-8495 or visit www.barnumfestival.com