Tens Of Thousands Turn Out To Enjoy UBS Parade In Downtown Stamford

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Stamford as giant balloons, marching bands, and floats stepped off in the annual UBS Parade Spectacular on Sunday.

Elmo holding a fish tank at the UBS Parade Spectacular Sunday in downtown Stamford.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Ashley Telesco, of Stamford, with her godchildren brothers Drevon, 9, and Matthew Kearney, 5, at the parade.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Clifford, the big red dog, in the UBS Parade Spectacular Sunday in downtown Stamford.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

A coolest guys in the parade on top of one of the floats enjoy the parade.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Among the dignitaries taking part were newly elected state representative Caroline Simmons, D-144th District, center, and also in foreground to the right, state Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-36th District.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Shrek in the UBS Parade Spectacular Sunday in downtown Stamford.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Fred Flintstone in the UBS Parade Spectacular Sunday in downtown Stamford.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Stamford Mayor David Martin, center, leads the dignitaries during the parade.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Super Grover 2.0 in the UBS Parade Spectacular on Sunday in downtown Stamford.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

A mild day allowed spectators to sit on the pavement during the parade.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Newly re-elected Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, former mayor of Stamford, was the Grand Marshal for this year's parade. Sitting with him is his wife, Cathy.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Stamford Police provide security to ensure everything went smoothly at the parade.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Frank MacEachern

11/24/2014 5:10 a.m.

The annual event, second only in size to Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, kicks off the holiday season in Stamford and throughout southwestern Fairfield County.

Among the thousands in attendance was Ashley Telesco of Stamford, along with her godchildren, brothers Drevon, 9, and Matthew Kearney, 5.

Telesco said she regularly attends the parade and enjoys how the whole city turns out to enjoy the festivities.

"It's the community aspect of it I like and the fact people get together, and it's for the kids," she said.

Drevon and Matthew said they both enjoyed the parade, with Matthew whispering in his older brother's ear about his favorite balloons.

They had a lot to watch as giant balloons, such as Elmo, Clifford, the big red dog, and Big Bird towered over the spectators. Occasionally along the route, the floating balloons had to be lowered to avoid becoming entangled in power lines. When the balloons successfully did the limbo under a power line, bystanders would give a goodhearted cheer.

The parade grand marshal was former Stamford Mayor and current Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. He and his wife, Cathy, sat up in a convertible as they waved at paradegoers.

Marching bands from New York State joined local marching bands from Stamford High School and Westhill High School. And as always, Santa Claus brought up the end of the parade.

UBS announced earlier this month that it will sponsor the parade again next year.

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