Community Corner

Date Set For 2024 Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular

The parade is one of the largest of its kind in the country, with giant helium balloons and approximately 100,000 spectators annually.

The parade is produced and funded by Stamford Downtown Special Services District with generous support from local property owners and businesses.
The parade is produced and funded by Stamford Downtown Special Services District with generous support from local property owners and businesses. (Courtesy of Stamford Downtown.)

Information via Stamford Downtown

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Downtown this week announced the return of the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular.

The holiday season will officially kick off in the Stamford Downtown area on Nov. 24 with the 31st annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular. The parade is one of the largest of its kind in the country, with giant helium balloons and approximately 100,000 spectators annually. This parade is produced and funded by Stamford Downtown Special Services District with generous support from local property owners and businesses.

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Planned highlights of the parade include Bello Nock, who is known for his many appearances on "America’s Got Talent" or his many years headlining "The Greatest Show on Earth."

"Bello’s trademark blend of endearing comedy and jaw-dropping daredevil stunts has made him one of the most unique and exciting entertainers in the world today," a news release from Stamford Downtown said. "He has been seen by over 100 million audience members in over 20,000 live performances in over 30 countries across six continents, as well as generated millions of views on TV and social media."

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TIME Magazine included Bello in their list of America’s Best Artists & Entertainers and the Wall Street Journal praised his "brand name level of recognition."

There will be giant balloons including favorites Daniel Tiger, Elmo, Kung Fu Panda, Mr. Potato Head, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Scooby Doo and more to be announced.

In addition to the procession's signature balloons, the streets will be filled with music from the 175 member, Butler High School Marching Band all the way from Butler, Ohio, the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, Fairfield County Pipes & Drums and high school marching bands from Stamford, Westhill, Brentwood, Trumbull, Uniondale, the John F. Kennedy Marching Eagles from Waterbury.New to the parade this year is the Wyandanch Memorial High School Marching Warriors & Warriorettes.

There will be dance groups including 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., fabulous Floats, the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, Santa and more.

Colin Cosell, Public Address Announcer for the New York Mets and New York Riptide, will return as the parade’s Master of Ceremonies.

The parade is scheduled to begin at noon on Sunday, Nov. 24 at the intersection of Summer Street and Hoyt Street and conclude on Atlantic Street and Federal Street, just a short block from the Stamford Transportation Center served by Metro-North Railroad, Amtrak, and CT Transit.

On the eve of the parade, the Point72 Balloon Inflation Party will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 3-6 p.m. at the intersection of Hoyt Street and Summer Street. This pre-parade event will allow spectators a behind-the-scenes look at the balloons as they come to life.

Bello Nock will also be performing parts of his riveting act at the Balloon Inflation Party along with music, parade talent and cartoon characters to greet and entertain spectators.

For more information, click here or follow @BalloonParadeCT on X.

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