STAMFORD CT – Excitement is building as Stamford Downtown’s official kickoff to the holiday season, the 24th annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular presented by Stamford Advocate, approaches. The parade, taking place on Sunday, November 19, is one of the largest of its kind in the country, with 12 giant helium balloons and more than 200,000 spectators annually. The parade is produced by Stamford Downtown Special Services District.
A press conference with a special photo opportunity and balloon training will be held on Monday, November 13, 12:00 P.M. at Latham Park on Bedford Street in Stamford. Please note that this is a new date. Volunteer balloon handlers and representatives from Stamford Downtown Special Services will gather to announce details of the parade. Full media kits will be provided. Please save the date to come and meet our featured press conference guest balloon – The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
The parade will delight young and old with its mix of dance groups, floats and marching units. Joining us for the first time will be Samba New York!, a world-renowned samba performance company dedicated to entertaining, educating and uplifting people of all backgrounds with the exhilarating music and dance of Brazil and featuring high-energy drummers and dazzling dancers.
Thrill enthusiasts will enjoy the hijinks of Bello Nock, Comedic Daredevil. Bello, who has been included on TIME Magazine’s list of “America’s Best Artists & Entertainers,” is fresh from his recent appearance on America’s Got Talent and ready to entertain parade goers with his unique blend of endearing comedy and jaw-dropping stunts.
Musical entertainment will include the Silver Steel Band, an award-winning steel drum band directed by Jim Royle of Jim Royle Drum Studios. Silver Steel’s Caribbean, Soca and Calypso styled music will charm spectators with its infectious rhythms – expect spontaneous dancing as they pass through Stamford’s streets.
A sampling of the many additional parade highlights includes balloons such as Bob the Builder, Oscar the Grouch, Shrek and Elmo; returning favorites Fred Flintstone, Kung Fu Panda, Mr. Potato Head and Paddington Bear; and more. In addition to the procession's signature balloons, the streets will also be filled with the sounds of 12 marching bands, including the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, the Fairfield County Police Pipes and Drums and high school groups from Stamford, Westhill, Trumbull, Brien McMahon, Uniondale, Brentwood, Bristol Eastern and Harrison. A favorite featured float, Stamford’s Teacher of the Year, returns to host this year’s recipient Vin Urbanowski. Television personality and Stamford resident Alan Kalter will once again grace the grandstand, acting as the parade’s Master of Ceremonies for his 14th year.
The parade is scheduled to begin at noon on Sunday, November 19 at the intersection of Summer Street at Hoyt Street and conclude on Atlantic Street, just a few short blocks from the Stamford Metro-North Railroad Station. On the eve of the parade, Point72 will host a Balloon Inflation Party on Saturday, November 18 from 3-6 p.m. at the intersection of Hoyt Street and Summer Street in Stamford Downtown. This pre-parade event will allow spectators a behind-the-scenes look at the balloons as they come to life. Music, parade talent and cartoon characters will greet and entertain spectators – Bello Nock will even provide a sneak peek of his act!
For more information, call 203-348-5285 or to see what’s happening in Stamford Downtown, please visit www.stamford-downtown.com or follow us @BalloonParadeCT.
About Stamford Downtown Special Services District:
Stamford Downtown Special Services District is responsible for creating, managing and promoting a quality environment for people, which enhances the economic vitality of Stamford Downtown.
www.stamford-downtown.com