31st Annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular: What to Know Before Things Kick Off This Weekend
The holiday season is almost here!
STAMFORD — It’s that time of year again when thousands of people gather in the city for floats, music, balloons, and more festivities all available at the 31st Annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular.
Keep reading to get details on the popular parade.
Balloon Inflation Party
The day before, spectators are invited to watch the massive balloons be inflated. The Point72 Giant Balloon Inflation Party will be held on Saturday, November 23 from 3:00 - 6:00 pm at the intersection of Hoyt and Summer Streets.
The pre-parade gathering “will allow spectators an up-close-and-personal look at the balloons as they take to the sky in preparation for their flights above the streets of Stamford,” a Stamford Downtown Special Services District press release stated. “The party will offer music, clowns and cartoon characters, and a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Spectators will be treated to special performances by the legendary daredevil and comedian Bello Nock and Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford.”
Date and Time
With the balloons inflated and all participants ready, the parade itself will kick off the following day, Sunday, November 24, at noon.
The parade begins at Hoyt and Summer Streets then continues down Summer to Broad Street to Atlantic Street and will finish on Atlantic Street south of Federal Street.
Parking and Street Closings
All downtown parking is free for the parade. This includes several parking lots. Among them are Bell Street, Bedford Street, Government Center, Summer Place, UConn Parking, and other nearby garages.
Streets closed due to the parade route can be found here.
Balloons and Participants
The Greatest Showman on Earth, Bello Nock will headline this year’s parade alongside more than a dozen giant balloons including Daniel Tiger, Elmo, Kung Fu Panda, Mr. Potato Head, Oscar the Grouch, Rudolph, Scooby-Doo, Shrek, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Bands that will perform include Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band of Ohio, New York Police Department Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, Fairfield County Police Pipes and Drums, and high school groups from Westhill, Trumbull, John F. Kennedy in Waterbury, Brentwood, Uniondale, and Wyandanch.
There will also be several dance groups, such as Center Stage Dance Studio, City Center Dance Performing Company, Dance on the DL, Hoop Girls of Stamford, Ladies of Finesse Dance Company, Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford, and the Pulse Performing Arts Studio's nova jazz.
Stamford’s Teacher of the Year Carolyn Tschinkel, a kindergarten educator at Stillmeadow Elementary School, will also be appearing on a float recognizing her this year.
As reported last month, Colin Cosell, PA announcer for the New York Mets and New York Riptide, will return for his third year as Master of Ceremonies.
Weather
As of publishing, the Weather Channel forecast predicts a high of 54º and a low of 37º while partly cloudy for Sunday.
Learn more information about the parade at stamford-downtown.com/events/parade-spectacular.
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