WFSB Channel 3’s Renee DiNino Named Grand Marshal for the Bristol CT Mum Festival
BRISTOL, Conn. — The Bristol CT Mum Festival committee is proud to announce that well-known Connecticut media personality and community advocate Renee DiNino will serve as this year’s official Grand Marshal.
DiNino brings her passion for community building, non-profit advocacy, and local storytelling to the forefront of one of Connecticut’s most cherished annual traditions, the Mum Festival.
As the Director of Community Affairs for WFSB Channel 3, DiNino is a prominent fixture across the state’s media landscape. She is the host of Hello Connecticut with Renee DiNino, Amazing K9 Duos, and Lost & Pound, in addition to being a regular contributor to Great Day at 9A and Great Day Connecticut. Known widely for giving a voice to local non-profits, veterans, law enforcement, and animal welfare initiatives, DiNino’s extensive background spans decades of dedicated service and connection to the people of Connecticut.
“I am deeply honored and thrilled to serve as this year’s Grand Marshal for the Bristol Mum Festival,” said DiNino. “Highlighting community spirit, local organizations, and wonderful Connecticut towns is what I love to do most. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone in Bristol!”
The Bristol CT Mum Festival draws thousands of visitors each year for a weekend packed with family-friendly entertainment, local vendors, delicious food, children’s activities, and the signature grand parade.
Festival organizers invite community members, families, and fans of Renee DiNino to come out and welcome her as she leads this year’s festivities.
For more information regarding festival schedules, event locations, and parade times, please visit the official Bristol Mum Festival website or follow local updates.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors! If you are interested in becoming a 2026 Sponsor, please complete the Sponsor form. You can find it at 2026 Sponsor Application: Please Select this Link.
PRESENTING OUR SPONSORS
BENEFACTOR
PRODUCERS
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Thank you for the use of your parking lot!! A true Bristol All Heart Company!!
LEGACY SPONSOR
FAMILY EVENTS SPONSOR ($5,000.00)
MAIN STAGE SPONSORS ($5,000.00)
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS ($2,000.00)
GOLD SPONSORS ($1,000.00+)
SILVER SPONSORS ($500.00+)
BRONZE SPONSORS ($250.00+)
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BOOSTERS
Andy Adams Barbara L. Bajurny Sue Berard Shannen Cianci Donna Damm Dognin Jack & Joanne Ferraro Jason Fields Sue Gendreau Mickey Goldwasser Harley Graime Tom & Michelle Hick Brianna Longo Joyce Ptak Dave Rackliffe Sue Radke Maria Salice Debbie Schur Susanna Sesto Sarah Sullivan Karl & Dianna Tack Natalie Wright Cummings
Sponsor the 2026 Mum Festival!
Download the 2026 Sponsor Form: (For donations over $500.00) SPONSOR APPLICATION: Please Select this Link
OUR STORY: The Mum Festival has been an epic fall festival in Bristol’s history. Once known as the Mum City, Bristol was famous for this colorful flower, and through the years proud Fall festivities were put on by residents for all in the region to enjoy! The Festival is Sponsored by the City of Bristol and Directed by the Greater Bristol Exchange Club. One of the premiere festivals in New England!
This is where you come in! In order to do the Festival justice, we are approaching you to be one of the many great and necessary sponsors to pull off the considerable size and scope of this effort. With you on board, we can create a memorable event for thousands of Mum Festival goers, encouraging thousands to experience the many layers of festival offerings over a 4-day action packed weekend. In a sponsorship role, this great event will provide your business or organization exposure to thousands of people, in addition to tens of thousands of impressions through our advertising and event efforts leading up to the big weekend. The 2016 Mum Festival and Parade drew well over 50,000 visitors!
All sponsorships will be tax deductible via 501(c) 3 non profit event partner, The Bristol Exchange Club. If you are interested in sponsoring or would like more info please contact: Jason Fields: E: jgfields@att.net P: 860.707.6286
What: Over the course of the weekend the 2018 Mum Fest will feature dozens of vendors from area businesses, crafters, local producers, restaurants, food trucks, community organizations, non profits, and museums, in addition to games, children’s programming, adult beverages, fireworks on Friday, all-day live music and entertainment, a car show and so much more!
Where: The event will be held in downtown Bristol at Memorial Boulevard Theatre field and the surrounding area, where parking, including handicap parking, will be available too. Parking will also be available at Associated Spring, the Depot Square (former mall) lot, other municipal lots, and on-street, where available.
Join In!: We are offering you the unique chance to support this wonderful opportunity for our Bristol and Connecticut communities to gather, create memories, and contribute to Bristol’s positive efforts to become a destination. This exciting event reinforces the City and Chambers’ efforts to promote downtown as a destination, and we hope that it will encourage everyone to join in and help our region rise to new heights!
We hope you can join this effort to put on this amazing festival in the heart of our state for all to converge, and we thank you for your time and support in advance. There’s just one last thing we’d like to say, “Mum’s the Word”…
All sponsorships will be tax deductible via 501(c) 3 non profit event partner The Bristol Exchange Club. The Bristol Mum Festival is made possible by The Bristol Exchange Club and The City Of Bristol. The Bristol Exchange Club is a tax exempt organization under the 501(c)(3) IRS Code.
“Beware of Scams!! Please note that the Mum Festival is the only event accepting vendor applicationsfor our Spring Fling Arts and Craft Fair on March 28, 2026.”
Free Parking will be available at the following locations for the Mum Festival:
Saturday and Sunday
Old Webster Bank Parking Lot on Riverside Avenue (150 Main Street).
Bristol Health Parking Lot on Hope Street is available at the following hours: Friday after 4:30 PM Saturday after 2:00 PM Sunday: Please note that the parade starts to line up at 11, so the Hope street entrance will be closed during the parade.
Board of Education Parking Lot on Church Street
Church Street Commuter Lot by the Board of Education
Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group Parking Lot) and 10 Main Street
BAIMS Magnet School Parking Lot on South Street (Handicap Parking Only)
BAIMS Magnet School Parking Lot on Willis Street Extension is available at the following hours: Friday after 5:00 PM Saturday after 5:00 PM Sunday starting at 12:00 PM
Parking is also available on side streets as always. Please follow all parking regulations.
First Student Bus
****Mum Festival Bus Schedule****
Pick Up & Drop Off:
Saturday September 27th
Shuttle Bus—runs 12:00 – 9:30 pm
Pick Up & Drop Off:
Start/Stop: American Legion Parking Lot (22 Hooker Court off Riverside Avenue)
Riverside Realty, 165 Riverside Avenue (Next to Bristol Water Department)
Corner of Riverside and Main Street at Bus Stop (Next to Bristol Health)
Commuter Lot next to the Board of Education building on Church Street
10 Main Street/Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group) by ATM machine on South Street
Bristol Arts & Innovation Magnet School -BAIMS (South Street parking lot)
10 Main Street/Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group) by ATM machine on South Street
Commuter Lot next to the Board of Education building on Church Street
Corner of Riverside and Main Street at Bus Stop
American Legion Parking Lot
Bus will continue the loop from 12:00 – 9:30 pm
Sunday, September 28th
Shuttle Bus—runs 12:00 – 6:30 pm
Pick Up & Drop Off:
Start/Stop: American Legion Parking Lot (22 Hooker Court off Riverside Avenue)
Riverside Realty, 165 Riverside Avenue (Next to Bristol Water Department)
10 Main Street/Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group) by ATM machine on South Street
Bristol Arts & Innovation Magnet School -BAIMS (South Street parking lot)
10 Main Street/Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group) by ATM machine on South Street
American Legion Parking Lot
Due to the Mum Parade, the roads are closed on the parade route, so we will only have partial pickup and drop locations. After the Mum Parade, we will resume the regular route that is listed for Saturday. Busses will run to 6:30 PM.
The Bristol Mum Festival 