Youngsters become Barnum festival royalty

Matthew Winkler, 9, of Monroe, and Alanna Ferrigno, 10, of Stratford, joined the ranks of Fairfield County royalty Saturday.

The two children were named the Barnum Festival's Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren, respectively, for 2008, during a competition at the Barnum Museum. Matthew and Alanna were among 46 children from Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull, Monroe, Shelton, Fairfield, and Milford who participated in the annual contest, which pays tribute to P. T. Barnum's two dwarf-sized circus performers, Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren.

Alanna is a fourth-grader at Chapel Street School in Stratford, and Matthew is in fourth grade at Fawn Hollow Elementary in Monroe.

The winners join the Barnum Festival Royal Family and will participate in

multiple festival activities between now and the annual Great Street Parade in the summer. The children also received $250 U.S. savings bonds.

The potential royals went before judges Saturday morning to determine whether they were Barnum material. Contest co-chair Rina Bakalar, of Shelton, said judges were seeking children who would best be able to handle the responsibility these positions carry.

The day wasn't all business. In addition to the judging, the children also were treated to a magic show by the Amazing Andy, tours of the museum, photos with the Barnum Festival Ringmaster, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, and a chance to make "sand art," using tubs of multi-colored sand.

The 46 children -27 girls and 19 boys — were

nominated for the contest by their schools. During the opening ceremonies of Saturday's contest, Bakalar told all of the children that just being nominated was an honor.

"All of you children are winners today because you all got selected to represent your schools," she said. "That's very special."