Thousands of people were in Downtown Stamford Sunday for the UBS Parade Spectacular.

Residents say the annual tradition marks the unofficial start of the holiday season.

There were marching bands, clowns, people on floats and even bubble-blowers as residents gathered to have a great time.

But there were some outsized characters noticeably absent from this year's festivities. Shrek and other expected balloons were not part of the fun because organizers say Sunday's heavy winds were just too risky.