Frosty Temps Won't Cool Enthusiasm For New Rochelle Holiday Parade

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is better watched on television, than fighting the crowds and price gouging to be there in person. However, the much friendlier-to-navigate 58th Annual New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving parade has all the bands, balloons and floats a kid-at-heart could ever want and it's best enjoyed firsthand or through the eyes of a few excited children along the parade route.

This year's paradegoers might want to slather on a little extra butter and maple syrup on their flapjacks at the annual New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence’s Annual Pancake Breakfast before heading to North Ave., because it's going to be brisk out there. Temps are forecast to be in the lower twenties as the parade gets underway on Saturday morning. Fortunately, the crowd-favorite breakfast at New Rochelle High School offers all the extra calories you need to keep warm as you watch the balloons float past.

The griddles heat up starting at 8 a.m. in the House IV Cafeteria at New Rochelle High School, with the entrance at North and Braemar Avenues. The breakfast is $5 per person and open to all. New Rochelle School teachers and staff will be making your breakfast.

Organizers said this year’s parade theme, "Celebrating a Century of Service," is a salute to the NRChamber’s 100th anniversary and its extensive history of service to New Rochelle.

The theme is evidenced in the choice of grand marshals. This year's parade will be a fitting farewell to two iconic New Rochelle civic leaders. Soon-to-depart City Manager Chuck Strome and recently retired former Commissioner of Parks & Recreation Bill Zimmermann will lead the festivities. The chamber said that both Strome and Zimmerman have dedicated many years to the City of New Rochelle, and they are the ideal choice to represent the parade theme.

"The New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade is a NR Chamber and City tradition. This year’s Parade honors the NR Chamber’s 100 years of service to the City. We’re thankful for all the NR Chamber members – past and present – who have worked to enhance the economic and business life of the City," said Rob Hayes, President of the NR Chamber of Commerce and owner of The Beechmont Tavern. "And our Grand Marshals, Chuck Strome and Bill Zimmermann, embody that spirit of service. We’re glad to honor them both in the Parade. Congratulations Chuck and Bill."

It's a rarity for a city the size of New Rochelle to have as deep a sense of community as the "Queen City of the Sound" enjoys. Two of the leaders who helped this rapidly growing metropolis remain tight-knit will be celebrating their legacies in grand fashion on Saturday.

But, just because New Rochelle maintains an exceptional neighborhood atmosphere, doesn't mean outsiders are excluded. In fact, the parade draws spectators from far and wide, but still sees less traffic congestion than the more famous holiday parade later in the week a few miles away.

See Also: Westchester's Bee-Line Buses To Be Fare Free During Holidays

The 2022 parade route will kick off at 10 a.m. along North Avenue, beginning at Eastchester Road and ending at Bonnefoy Place.

The parade will feature floats and giant parade balloons, including New Rochelle’s own iconic Mighty Mouse and Tom the Turkey, among others. There will, of course, be marching bands playing throughout the parade, vintage cars and firetrucks, dancers, singers and marchers from Iona and Monroe Colleges, local schools, businesses and community organizations.

Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance as well.

Traffic Advisory:

New Rochelle said that temporary street closures and detours will be in effect along the parade route starting at 6 a.m. Parade attendees are asked to observe the no parking signs, as cars parked on the route will be towed.

• Eastchester Road from Mt. Joy Pl. to North Ave. will be closed at 6 a.m. for balloon inflating. North Ave. will close at 7 a.m. between Beechmont Rd. and Braemar Ave. for parade lineup.
• North Ave. will be closed at 10 a.m. from Main St. to Pelham Rd. The cross streets of Clinton Pl. and Bonnefoy Pl. will be closed at Church St., except for local traffic.