Mum Festival opening ceremonies — in pictures

One of the highlights of the opening night of the annual Mum Festival is the Miss Mum Pageant. | Ron Tessman

Posted By: David Fortier October 1, 2024

The opening ceremonies of this year’s Mum Festival, on Friday evening, Sept. 27, brought together this year’s honorees: Grand Marshal of the 62nd Mum Festival Parade Fire Chief Richard “Rick” Hart and this year’s Hometown Heroes, members of CERT (Community Emergency Resource Team) on the main stage at the Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School.

Among those on stage included the volunteers from The Bristol Exchange Club who made this year’s event happen, with its over 120 vendors, food trucks, rides and exhibits; and members of the Bristol Choral who opened the ceremonies with the national anthem.

Following the opening ceremonies, the annual Miss Mum Pageant took place on the stage of the Rockwell Theater on Memorial Boulevard.

Bristol photographer Ron Tessman was there to capture the activities. For more photos, check is website, BristolCT.net.

Representing Hometown Heroes, members of CERT (Community Emergency Resource Team), to the right of Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano, second from left, are training officer Sue Radke, captain Michael Vito Montelli and co-captain Robert LaChase. The Grand Marshal of this year’s 62nd Mum Festival Parade, left, is Fire Chief Richard Hart. | Ron Tessman

Mum Festival volunteers, who make the annual event happen, front Row, from left, Matthew Glasser, Joyce Ptak, Susan Gendreau, Andrea “Andy” Adams, Jack Ferraro, Jason Fields and Maria Salice. Back row, from left, David Rackliffe, Dianna Tack, Karl Tack, A.J. Colwick, Debbie Schur, Mickey Goldwasser, Sue Berard, Sarah Sullian and Bob Faucher. Missing: Harley Graime, Janet Mellon, Natalie Wright Cummings, Sue Radke, Melissa McCarthy and Matthew Norton. | Ron Tessman

Above and below, contestants in this year’s Miss Mum Pageant take the stage at The Rockwell Theater on Memorial Boulevard, Friday, Sept. 27. This year’s winners include the following: Little Miss Chrysanthemum 2024, Emmie Wilson; Junior Miss, Kyla McQuiggan; and Miss, Manette Masse. Ron Tessman

Members of Bristol Choral sing the national anthem to begin the ceremony. | Ron Tessman

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