Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular Float to Feature Stamford Public Schools’ 2024/2025 Teacher of the Year – Carolyn Tschinkel

STAMFORD CT,  – Among the giant balloons, marching bands and entertainers, spectators attending the 31st annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular on Sunday, November 24 will be treated to the familiar faces of many respected members of the community. One float in particular is a perpetual favorite, carrying a beloved teacher on a float themed to her specific endeavors within the classroom.

Carolyn Tschinkel, a kindergarten schoolteacher at Stillmeadow Elementary School and 2024-2025 Stamford Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year will be riding on one the parade’s four floats, entitled “Guiding Through A Magical World of Nursery Rhymes.” Carolyn has been teaching for 33 years. This year is her 25th year teaching in the Stamford Public Schools. Ms. Tschinkel has taught kindergarten, first and second grade. She was also a reading specialist. Ms. Tschinkel describes her job as a childhood dream come true. Her greatest accomplishment in her teaching career has been creating a classroom environment where students develop a love for learning, and they are very motivated to succeed in school. She feels her greatest contribution to education is the success of her students. She loves going to work every day and working with her students. The Stillmeadow teacher was chosen for the award because of her efforts to create a welcoming learning environment for her diverse group of students. Some of her strategies included "differentiated instruction, hands-on centers and projects for tactile learners, wall displays and charts for visual learners and music centers for auditory learners."

Planned highlights of the parade include The Greatest Showman on Earth, Daredevil, Comedian, Legend, Bello Nock, and 15 giant balloons such as favorites Daniel Tiger, Elmo, Kung Fu Panda, Mr. Potato Head, Oscar the Grouch, Rudolph, Scooby-Doo, Shrek, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and more. In addition to the procession's signature balloons, the streets will also be filled with fabulous floats, dance groups and marching bands, including the 175-member Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band (all the way from Butler, Ohio!), NYPD Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, Fairfield County Police Pipes and Drums and high school groups from High School Marching Bands from Westhill, Trumbull, John F. Kennedy from Waterbury, Brentwood, Uniondale and Wyandanch and 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. Master of Ceremonies: Colin Cosell, PA Announcer for the NY Mets & NY Riptide, Colin Cosell will once again be the parade’s Master of Ceremonies for his third year.

The parade is scheduled to begin at noon on November 24 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 Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular, those wishing for a behind-the-scenes look at how the parade’s giant helium balloons come to life are invited to attend the Point72 Giant Balloon Inflation Party. This pre-parade event takes place on Saturday, November 23 from 3-6 p.m. at the intersection of Hoyt Street and Summer Street in Stamford Downtown, will allow spectators an up-close-and-personal look at the balloons as they take to the sky in preparation for their flights above the streets of Stamford. The party will offer music, clowns and cartoon characters, and a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Spectators will be treated to special performances by the legendary daredevil and comedian Bello Nock and Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford. The event is a perfect sampling of parade talent and is sure to delight spectators of all ages.

Recognized as one of the premier parades in the nation, the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular taking place on Sunday, November 24 is a collaboration between the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford, supported by numerous community-oriented corporations and organizations that proudly sponsor our balloons, bands, and floats including The Ashforth Company, Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP, Cross Insurance Greenwich, CT Transit, Cummings & Lockwood LLC, Deloitte, F. D. Rich Company, George Comfort & Sons, Inc., Hartford HealthCare Urgent Care, Julius Apartment Homes, KPMG LLP, M&T Bank, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, New England Investment Partners, Point72, Poland Spring®, Reckson, RMS Companies, RXR, Silver Golub & Teitell LLP, The Stamford Hotel, Stamford Town Center, Stamford Urby, UConn Stamford, WIN Waste Innovations and with the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism and media partners Star 99, WEBE 108, WICC and Hey Stamford!

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