The 1,000-foot-long water slide — longer than three football fields — took riders from Hoyt Street to Latham Park.
Sliders were able to choose between a single slide, a triple slider, or an all-day pass to cruise down the three-lane slide. Tickets ranged from $18 to $55.
Sandy Goldstein, president of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District, was happy to see the day get off to a good start. The weather cooperated, and more and more people were sliding after a delayed start.
This was the first time Stamford hosted the event.
Sliders — including Mayor David Martin, baseball manager Bobby Valentine, and Goldstein, who took the day's first slide — got off to a slow start, with not enough water filling the huge three-lane slide. But as the day went on, sliders seemed to have an easier time.
"Having just gone down the slide, I think it's awesome," Goldstein told the Daily Voice. "What a great day, and what a great event. ... There are hundreds here already, and we're expecting thousands before the end of the day.
"The slide was really very exciting. There were some dry patches, because we were the first ones down. But when the water was rushing down, it really was fun."
The festive atmosphere — with several blocks closed for the slide, as well as volleyball, a climbing wall, and children's activities set up all over — is just what Goldstein and the DSSD likes.
"That's what we want people to think of when they think of downtown - fun, sculptures all over, excitement all over - that's why we're doing this," she said. "I see a lot of smiling faces, and at 7 p.m., I hope to say the day was a 100 percent success."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Wilton and receive free news updates.