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Speaking at the Holiday Inn, Berger credited the
commitment of the Festival volunteers for the success of the Festival
inspired by the spirit of P.T. Barnum, the 19th century
mayor and circus showman.
The former president of the Festival and the P.T.
Barnum Foundation, Berger recalled going to the Barnum Festival parade
as a kid growing up in Trumbull in the 1950s.
“I was asked about 25 years ago, to sell Festival
booster buttons. One thing led to another and I ended up chairing
events,” Berger said.
Berger is a graduate of Harding High School, the
University of Bridgeport and the University of Virginia School of
Retail Bank Management. Berger and his wife, Lorna, have three
children and six grandsons.
Berger is also a board member of St. Vincent’s
College, Housatonic Community College Foundation, Monroe Lions Club,
Valley United Way and Shelton Economic Development Corp.
Mike Repko, Festival President, said Berger was
an outstanding choice to maintain the growth of the Barnum Festival.
“We’re all confident that Len will do a great
job,” Repko said. “He’s committed to the Festival which he’s proven
for the last 25 years. He has some great ideas of how he wants to see
it grow. We all look forward to working with Len.”
The Ringmaster Selection Committee headed by
former Ringmaster Robert Laska, publisher of the Connecticut Post
chose Berger because of his commitment to the Festival. Several other
former Ringmasters - James Schwartz, E. Cortright Phillips and Charles
Carroll attended the gathering.
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