New Emcee Announced For Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Downtown announced on Monday that Colin Cosell, the Public Address announcer for the New York Mets and professional lacrosse team New York Riptide, will be the new Master of Ceremonies for the 29th annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular.

Cosell was born and raised in Stamford, and graduated from the King School in 1997. Cosell knew at the age of 5 that he wanted to follow in his grandfather Howard Cosell's footsteps. Over the last 23 years, Cosell has worked in radio, television, theater and standup comedy, and has won three Emmy awards while working for MSG Varsity.

"To return to my hometown and be part of such a massive event is both humbling and a source of great pride," Cosell said in a news release. "My family is still here and a lot of my childhood friends are still here. I know I have massive shoes to fill, but I promise to do right by Mr. Kalter's legacy as I embark upon what I hope is a long working relationship with the StamfordDowntown team."

The parade will take place on Nov. 20, and it is considered one of the largest of its kind in the country, with giant helium balloons and more than 100,000 spectators annually.

This year’s planned parade highlights include 14 giant balloons with favorites such as Bob the Builder, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Daniel Tiger, Gingerbread Boy, Mr. Potato Head, Octonauts, Peppa Pig, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Scooby-Doo and Snowman.

In addition to the procession's signature balloons, the streets will also be filled with fabulous floats and dance groups, and marching bands including the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, the Fairfield County Police Pipes and Drums and high school marching bands from Stamford, Westhill, Trumbull, Uniondale and Brentwood.

The parade is scheduled to begin at noon on Nov. 20 at the intersection of Summer Street at Hoyt Street and conclude on Atlantic Street, just a few short blocks from the Stamford Metro-North Train Station.

On Nov. 19, a Balloon Inflation Party presented by Point72 will be held 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 and offer music, parade talent, cartoon characters and a meet and greet with Santa Claus.