First Selectman Mike Tetreau announced today that the Town of Fairfield’s 375th Anniversary Float won the Grand Marshall’s Award at last Sunday’s annual Barnum Festival Great Street Parade.

In honor of the Town’s 375th anniversary, a float was created and featured at this year’s Barnum Festival Parade. The float depicted a saltbox that was burned by the British in 1779. The float commemorates the fate of many homes of the settlers in the “Four Squares” of Fairfield.

The award-winning float was designed by Architect and resident Jack Franzen and was built in cooperation with 375th Anniversary Committee member Jeanne Harrison, the Board of Selectmen’s 2013 Fairfielder of the Year Award Winner, the Department of Public Works and many volunteers who donated their time and talents.

Accompanying the float were 375th Anniversary Co-Chair Betsy Browne, Fairfield’s Town Clerk, and Claire Abate, Matthew Chrismer, Dominick Sample, and Lisa Sxudora who represented Children of the American Revolution.

Town Clerk Browne said, “The Fairfield 375th Anniversary float was a big hit in the Barnum Festival Great Street Parade. Spectators along the parade route cheered us on and shouted their happy birthday wishes.”

First Selectman Tetreau who marched in the parade said, “I am so proud our Town won this special award and had the opportunity to highlight this year’s big anniversary at this popular parade. I am thankful to everyone who worked on the float and also appreciate our entire 375th Anniversary Committee for making this a special and memorable year for our community!”

The photo shows Dominick Sample, Claire Abate, First Selectman Mike Tetreau and Town Clerk and 375th Co-Chair Betsy Browne on the float.