Marching bands and performers across Connecticut gathered in Bridgeport Sunday as the Barnum Festival took it to the streets during the Great Street Parade.

The parade began at Park and Capitol Avenues and ended at Seaside Park.

"The Barnum Parade brings the whole community together from each side of town," says Julia Santos, a parade performer. "It's a celebration not only of our city, but different class, the different cultures, the different races, the different people that are in Bridgeport."

The parade is one of many events that is part of the Barnum Festival, which began in 1948, as way to celebrate Bridgeport and the surrounding communities, support local businesses and honor P.T. Barnum.

Barnum was a state legislator, philanthropist and elected mayor of Bridgeport in 1875.