Date Announced For 33rd Annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular

STAMFORD, CT — The 33rd annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 22, with giant helium balloons, marching bands and other performers.

The parade draws approximately 100,000 spectators annually, according to Stamford Downtown.

The parade is produced and funded by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District with support from local property owners and businesses.

This year’s parade will feature 15 giant balloons. Those announced so far include Abby Cadabby, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Elmo, Frosty the Snowman, Jonathan the Husky, Mr. Potato Head, Octopus, Oscar the Grouch, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Musical groups will include the University of New Haven Marching Band, the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, Fairfield County Pipes & Drums and high school marching bands from Westhill, Brentwood, Port Chester, Uniondale and Wyandanch.

The Pajaro Campana Center for Dance and Culture and the Zappy Zebra’s Parade Team will participate for the first time.

Other scheduled groups include Ballet Folklórico de las Américas, Ballet School of Stamford, Center Stage Dance Studio, City Center Dance Performing Company, DL Studio, Hoop Girls of Stamford, Ladies of Finesse Dance Company, Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford and The Pulse Performing Arts Studio’s nova jazz. Floats, the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard and Santa are also planned.

Colin Cosell, public address announcer for the New York Mets and New York Riptide, will return as master of ceremonies.

Mark Greenbaum of Greenbomb Studios created and illustrated the parade’s new graphic design. His previous work includes projects for Hasbro, Dr. Suess, Marvel and DC Comics, as well as Stamford Downtown’s "Space Invasion" public art exhibit. He is currently working on two comic projects, Under Here and Controllers Universe.

The parade is scheduled to begin at noon at Summer and Hoyt streets and end at Atlantic and Federal streets, a short block from the Stamford Transportation Center.

The Point72 Giant Balloon Inflation Party is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hoyt and Summer streets. Stamford-based Point72 has hosted the event since 2014. Spectators can watch the balloons being inflated and see music, parade performers, cartoon characters and Santa.

For more information and updates, visit the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular web page.