Can We Walk Him? Yes We Can!
NU Employees Escort Bob the Builder in Stamford’s UBS Parade
As the saying goes, everyone loves a parade.
And Stamford’s annual Thanksgiving UBS Parade Spectacular—one of the country’s largest helium balloon parades—is no exception. A whopping 200,000 people line the streets to watch the procession of award-winning marching bands, festooned floats and everyone’s favorite giant balloon characters.
For the past two years, CL&P, together with Northeast Utilities Transmission and Yankee Gas, has sponsored the parade’s massive Bob the Builder balloon. Linda Wilt, an administrative assistant at CL&P, and Sol Colon, a Yankee Gas operating records clerk, take charge of recruiting company volunteers, which is never a problem for this festive event. Last November, they drew approximately 40 volunteers. Some brought along their teenage children to help carry the companies’ banner along the parade route.
“It takes a lot of people to handle that balloon!” said Wilt. “It’s really exciting. When you’re walking the parade route you’re surrounded by a sea of people, with kids and dogs. It’s just fun to be there.”
Some balloon handlers took a fashion tip from the well-known cartoon character, donning hard hats and tool belts.
Wilt hopes to participate again this November. “Some of us even go to the balloon inflation party the night before. It’s fun to watch those balloons come to life.”
