Mum Festival Committee:

MEET OUR TEAM
It Takes a Village!! We are so fortunate to have this extraordinary team!!

Honorary General Chairman: Jack Ferraro

Jack has served as General Chairman and Honorary Chairman for almost 10 years now. Jack has served in several different capacities for the Mum Festival for over his 40 years of involvement. He is one of the longest serving members on our committee. He also serves as our Marketing & Planning Division Director and works tirelessly to ensure a successful event. Jack is also a longtime member of the Bristol & CT District Exchange Club. He has served as President of the Bristol Exchange Club, Vice President, Honoring Heroes Program Director, and currently Vice President of the CT District Exchange Club.

Co-Chairman for the Mum Festival and Finance Director: Jason Fields

Jason has served almost 10 years on the Mum Festival as Division Director for Finance. Jason was formerly a member of the Bristol Jaycees. Jason is also a member of the Bristol Exchange Club where he has served as President, Vice President, as well as a District Director with the CT District Exchange Club. Jason works with our Sponsors and Mum Festival Finances, raising several thousands of dollars for the Mum Festival. He works tirelessly on the Mum Festival, ensuring we have enough finances to maintain the Mum Festival. Jason recently was presented with the Exchangite of the Year, for both the Bristol Exchange Club and the CT District Exchange Club.

Bristol Exchange Club Vice President for Finance: Kim Caron

Assisting Jason Fields is our Vice President for Finance, Kim Caron. Kim is a longtime and dedicated member of the Bristol Exchange Club. Kim is also our Treasurer and Fiscal Services Officer. Kim was recently honored as our Eagle Award recipient. This high award recognizes members that have significantly contributed to club growth and health. The Bristol Exchange Club inducted 10 new members this year.

Mum Festival Division Director for Vendor Relations: Andy Adams

Andrea (Andy) Adams has served on the Mum Festival for almost 10 years as our Division Director for Vendor Relations. Andy is responsible for the over 130 Street vendors and over 30 Food Vendors each year. Andy makes sure that we have quality vendors, and prohibits gross duplication, so that all our vendors have a great experience. Pricing for the long weekend is some of the best in CT for an event this size, as we want our vendors, nonprofit organizations and small businesses to succeed and grow! Andy was a former lead member on Bristol Rising Committee and Chaired the then popular “Pop-Up Piazza” vendor committee. Andy also serves on several City organizations: American Clock and Watch Museaum, Bristol Arts & Cultural Committee, to mention a few.

Exchange Club Board of Directors: Sarah Sullivan

Andy is assisted by Sarah Sulivan, who handles Vendor Accounting and assist on vendor planning. Sarah is also a member of the Bristol Exchange Club, and Board of Directors. Sarah is an instrumental part of our festival committee.

“Did you know that funds raised through our vendor donations, benefit many of or charitable giving programs, besides assisting with select festival operations…”

Mum Festival Division Director for Fundraising: Natalie Wright-Cummings

Natalie is our Division Director for Fundraising and has done an outstanding job raising the needed funds for our programs of service. Natalie handles all of our fundraising events, like our 3-4 Bingos, Spring Fling Vendor Fair, Basket Raffles, and other scheduled fundraising events. Natalie recently was awarded our “Community Service Award”, for all that she does for our programs of service!

Designer Purse Bingo Chair, and Bristol Exchange Club Board of Directors: Lara Nichols

Lara Nichols is our Chair for our Annual Designer Purse Bingo. Lara does an amazing job organizing this wonderful and fun event each year. Lara acquires some of the very best designer pocketbooks and purses each year, through her buyer Janet Mellon. Lara is also a member of the Bristol Exchange Club and Board of Directors. Lara is dedicated member of our organization.

Natalie is also assisted by Debbie Schur, Dianna Tack and Sue Berard, and other Bristol Exchange Club members.

Mum Festival Division Director for Entertainment: Maria Salice

Maria is no Stanger to Entertainment in Bristol! Maria has served for almost 10 years on Mum Festival and in charge of all Entertainment on our Main Stage and Kids Zone. Maria’s selections of bands and headliner bands have been amazing. Big sounds like Soul Sound Revue, Fleetwood Macked, Darik and the Fun Bags, Laurie and the Legends, River of Dreams (Tribute to Billy Joel), and several others. Maria is also the Musical Director for the Showcase of Stars, performs with the Alan & Maria Show, Bristol OM Show, Bristol Chorale Society, St. Matthews Church Choir, and several other venues.

Miss Chrysanthemum Pageant Chair: Brianna Longo

Assisting Maria is Brianna Longo our Chair for the Miss Chrysanthemum Pageant. Brianna has chaired the event for several years and has done an outstanding job with the pageant.

Mum Festival Division Director for the Arts, History and Museums: Joyce Ptak

Joyce has served on the Mum Festival for almost 8 years, and handles our Art Show, Museum Collective, and Bristol History under the Grand Marquis Bristol Tent. Joyce does an amazing job showcasing local artists and our local museums. She also plans and directs the events under the Marquis Tent, like Paint N Sip, Pumkin Carving, Stain Glass Classes, and other venues each year, changing it up to always keeping it fresh and exiting.

Mum Festival Artist and Bristol Exchange Club Board of Directors: Bob Faucher
Mum Festival Art Committee Member: Susan Gendreau

Assisting Joyce are co-chairs are Artist Bob Faucher and Susan Gendreau. Bob is a member of the Bristol Exchange Club and Board of Directors. Bob is also an accomplished local Bristol Artist. Both Bob and Susan are dedicated festival committee members.

Mum Festival Division Director for Family Events: Karl Tack

Karl has served on the Mum Festival Committee for almost 10 years. Karl is in charge of our Family Events, and Kids Zone. Karl also is a member of the Bristol Exchange Club, and was President, Vice President, Excel Club Chair, and volunteers as a Division Director at the Mum Festival!

Karl is assisted by Melissa McCarthy (Painting with Melissa), and together they round up some of the best family entertainment around. Petting Zoos, Critter Caravan, Pony Rides, Hayrides, Amusement Rides/Midway, Cartoon Characters, Star Wars Padawan Saber Training and characters, Touch-A-Vehicle, and so much more!

Car Show Chair, and Bristol Exchange Club Member: Bev Foote

Karl is also assisted by Beverly Foote, who Chairs our wonderful Car Show! Our Car show is one of the largest and boasts over 200 vehicles each year. Trophies and Awards, and all money raised goes to our charitable giving programs.

Mum Festival Division Director for Public Safety and City Liaison: Harley Graime

Harley has served on the Mum Festival Committee for almost 10 years. Harley is responsible for all Public Safety at the Mum Festival. Harley is also our City of Bristol Liaison Officer, working with all the various City Department Heads, and the Mayor to make sure that our festival guests have a safe and enjoyable experience. Harley is the city’s Director for Emergency Management, and CERT. Harley also works closely with the Bristol and Burlington Health District. Harley is also a member of the Bristol Exchange Club and serves on the Vocational & Technical Scholarship programs. Harley was also a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club of Bristol, until it disbanded in 2014. Harley was also recently received the “Distinguished Service Award” in June of 2025.

Bristol Mum Festival Committee Member & CERT Manager: Sue Radke

Harley is assisted by Sue Radke, who manages the CERT Team at the festival. Sue also helps with signage and banners and is an instrumental part of our committee.

Mum Festival Division Director for Facilities: Mickey Goldwasser

Mickey has served in a few different roles on the Mum Festival for almost 10 years. Mickey has served as Division Director for Marketing, and most recently Division Director for Facilities. Mickey has extensive experience in Finance, Marketing and Planning. He also served many years ago, as the Treasurer for the Chrysanthemum Festival.

Mickey is assisted by Shannen Cianci, David Rackliffe and AJ Colwick.

Shannen is local Real Estate Agent and has been a member of the Mum Festival for almost 10 years. Dave is a member of the Bristol Rotary Club, and Board Chairman for the Prudence Crandall Center. Dave has been a Mum Festival Committee member and a Division Director for Several years. Dave recently received our Community Service Award. AJ is a member of the Bristol Exchange Club and Board of Directors. AJ is a recent graduate of Mitchell College, and a Committee Member for the Apple Harvest Festival in Southington. AJ will be expanding his role next year for the Bristol Mum Festival.

Mickey also serves as a Commissioner on the Bristol Economic & Community Development Committee for the City of Bristol, and former Committee Member of the Bristol Marketing Committee. Mikey is a longtime member of the Bristol Exchange Club and has served on their Board of Directors.

Mum Festival Division Director for Patriotism & Veterans Strong: Donna Dognin

Donna has served on the Mum Festival Committee for over 8 years. Donna handles all of our patriotism related venues for the Mum Festival. Dona directs the Hometown Heroes Program, Veterans Strong appearance at the festival, patriotism pins, coordination of handing out US Flags at the parade and other patriotism venues. Donna is a member of the Bristol Exchange Club and is also Executive Director and Co-Founder of Veterans Strong in Bristol. Donna recently recognized as one of the “Celebrating Women Leaders”. A well-deserved honor for Donna!

Donna is assisted by Amy Wernicki, who is also a member of the Bristol Exchange Club through their Veterans Strong Business Membership.

Mum Festival Division Director for Volunteers and the Mum Parade: Dianna Tack

Dianna has served on the Mum Festival Committee for almost 10 years. Dianna is our Mum Parade Chairwoman, and in charge of the historic parade. The Mum Parade is made up of four divisions and comprised of over 30 floats, marching bands, dance units, and a host of several other marching units. Dianna is also in charge of our volunteers for the Mum Festival and does an outstanding job coordinating the volunteers needed to run the parade and festival.

Dianna is also a longtime member of the Bristol Exchange Club, former President, Secretary, and currently our Community Outreach Chair. Dianna is also a volunteer at the Agape House in Bristol. Dianna was also recently presented with our Community Award.

Mum Festival Ground Maintenace Manager, Bristol Exchange Club Member: Matt Norton

Dianna is assisted by Matt Norton from the Agape House. The Agape House is our Bristol Exchange Business Member and handles all maintenance over the three-day period. They also will be selling Mums Plants at the festival this year!

Also assisting Dianna are Erin King, Debbie Schur, Sue Berard, Pina Salvatore, Joan and Peter Pelkey, Melissa Dickau, Tom Nye, Roger Audet, Armand Hudon, Tad Bartles, and several other Exchange Club Members and volunteers.

Mum Festival Electrical Committee: Gary Paradis Jr. and Gary Paradis Sr.

Gary Paradis Sr. and Gary Paradis Jr., have been part of the Mum Festival for many years. They are also major in-kind sponsors of our festival. We cannot thank Paradis Electric and the Paradis family for all they do for the Mum Festival. Gary Paradis Jr., and his team, spends the entire week with the Mum festival getting all our electrical needs and more taken care of. We could not do it without them!!

See Organization Chart above.

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