New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade to Feature Mighty Mouse Balloon

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The 53rd annual New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade returns Saturday, November 19 with a new feature: balloons.

The New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of New Rochelle, will bring schools, organizations, companies and bands from around Westchester County, as well as floats, classic cars and Santa Claus to what organizers calls the largest Thanksgiving parade outside of Macy’s New York City parade.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on North Avenue in the vicinity of New Rochelle High School.

Chamber President Robert Marrone said cartoon hero Mighty Mouse, a product of the Terrytoons Studio, will float past the historic “K” building downtown that house the studio from 1930 to 1971.

“The most exciting addition to this year’s parade will be a giant balloon for each division,” Marrone said, “and who better than our own Might Mouse to kick it off.”

Other balloons will be a snowman, Mr. Potato Head and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Helium for the balloons will be donated by New Rochelle Auto Body and Montefiore.

This year’s Grand Marshall is Frank Bernabei, recreation supervisor for the City of New Rochelle since 1994.

Other parade participants include Iona College, the College of New Rochelle, Monroe College, the Boys and Girls Club, FunFuzion, Suburbia Roller Derby and Habitat for Humanity of Westchester.

The parade is preceded by the annual Pancake Breakfast presented by the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Breakfast will be served, as in the past, by school and public officials. Tickets are $5 with proceeds going to the fund.

Chamber officials said there is still time to join the parade, with float and balloon sponsorships and vehicle options still available.

For more information, go to the chamber’s website or call 914-632-5700.

Photo credit: Submitted.