Thanksgiving Parade 2022
In celebration of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce‘s 100th Anniversary this year‘s parade theme is “Celebrating a Century of Service“
Click HERE for Online Sponsorship Payments
For questions or more information contact call Catherine White 914-632-5700 or email catherine@newrochamber.org
Parade Participation Guidelines
Annual Pancake Breakfast is BACK!
The New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence’s Annual Pancake Breakfast is BACK! Enjoy a delicious breakfast served by New Rochelle’s school and district administrators and teachers, just before the New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade!
Starting at 8:00am in the House IV Cafeteria at New Rochelle High School, entrance at North and Braemar Avenues.
$5.00 per person.
2022 Thanksgiving Sponsorships
PLATNIUM PARADE SPONSOR – $10,000
Sponsor is listed as a Presenting Partner with the NR Chamber and the City of New Rochelle. Logo & sponsor name on all posters, parade banners, outdoor kiosk & banner advertisement, emails, electronic boards at the train station, 20+ digital community calendars, opening and closing credits of the NRTV multiple re-broadcasts of the parade on Thanksgiving Weekend and social media from the City and NR Chamber. Sponsor included in WVOX Radio pre-parade commercials & WVOX Chamber Show radio interview week of parade. NRTV interview with sponsor at the parade.
GOLD PARADE SPONSOR – $5,000
Logo & sponsor name on all posters, outdoor kiosk & banner advertisement, emails, electronic boards at the train station, 20+ digital community calendars, closing credits of the NRTV multiple re-broadcasts of the parade on Thanksgiving Weekend, and social media from the City and NR Chamber.
SILVER PARADE SPONSOR – $3,000
Logo & sponsor name on all emails, 20+ digital community calendars, closing credits of the NRTV multiple re-broadcasts of the parade on Thanksgiving Weekend, and social media from the City and NR Chamber.
BALLOON SPONSORSHIPS
Balloon Sponsorship includes banner with Sponsor’s name and logo. All Balloon Handlers will be wearing T-shirt with both Parade Branding and Sponsor’s name and logo. Sponsor is encouraged to bring their own team of volunteer handlers to walk balloon in parade. Specifics for each balloon will be provided.
- MIGHTY MOUSE BALLOON $2,750
Mighty Mouse is the FIRST BALLOON in the Parade and is the most iconic. It’s beloved in New Rochelle and always gets so much attention.Sponsor will have the opportunity to hold this Helium Balloon and have a quick interview on the November 14th broadcast of The Chamber Show on WVOX. - GIANT PARADE BALLOON – $1,750
Other Parade Balloons include My Little Pony, Elmo, Peppa Pig, Rudolph, and the 100 Year Celebration Cake! - CO-BRANDED BALLOON – $900
FLOAT SPONSORSHIPS – $1,500
Float Down North Avenue & Promote Your Business! Ride in the Thanksgiving Parade in style while highlighting your Business or Special Event on a Parade Float!
Parade Floats are rented and include: design in colors of your choice, 3 signs with logo & tagline, vehicle with driver to tow the float, generator on float for electric use and full insurance.
Sponsors are Needed for these Special Floats:
NRHS Homecoming Court Float – $1,500 SOLD
FIRST Float in Parade in Division 1. Sponsor signage & logo on both sides of float. NRHS Homecoming Court & Senior Officers on float with DJ Smithyboy. Sponsor & co-workers or family may also ride on float.
Capes for a Cos Character Float – $1,500 SOLD
Capes for a Cos is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating custom, adaptive cosplay for children with disabilities. They have volunteered to be in the Parade in their Super-Hero costumes to raise awareness for their group and the disabled children they support. Sponsor signage & logo on both sides of float. You may ride with Super-Heroes
BAND SPONSOR – $1,000
With more than 7 Bands in the Parade, help is needed to defray transportation costs and uniforms. Sponsorship includes Logo & sponsor name on emails, closing credits of the NRTV multiple re-broadcasts of the parade on Thanksgiving Weekend, and social media from the City and NR Chamber.
Paw Patrol Single Character Sponsorship – $1,000
Paw Patrol Characters will be the HIT of the Parade! We need Sponsors for each Professional Character – there are 7+ Characters. Sponsor logo will appear on a Paw Patrol Banner preceding the Characters.
VEHICLE PARTICIPATION – $500
All Vehicles in Parade must submit license plate number for permit to enter Parade.
Co-BRANDED HOT CHOCOLATE SPONSOR – $300
Hot Chocolate and Cookies for over 1000+ Parade Marchers. Multiple signage in Parade Line-Up Area and on social media.
For questions or more information contact call Catherine White 914-632-5700 or email catherine@newrochamber.org
Parade Route
Parade marches along North Avenue from Eastchester Road to Bonnefoy Place
- Parade kicks off at 10am at the intersection of Eastchester Road and North Avenue
- Performance Area – intersection of Main Street & North Avenue
- Parade ends at Bonnefoy Place
Parking Available At:
- New Rochelle High School
- Lawn Avenue Parking Lot
- New Rochelle Transit Center Parking Garage (train station)
- New Roc City Garage
- Library South Parking Lot
*Please note, North Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic for Parade. Use directions that do NOT include North Avenue to enter Parking Lots.
Meet the 2022 Thanksgiving Parade Grand Marshalls
Charles B. "Chuck" Strome, III
On November 12, 2002, the City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Charles B. “Chuck” Strome, III as City Manager. Mr. Strome served as Acting City Manager since March 2002 and as Deputy City Manager since 1995. Prior to that, he served as Director of Emergency Services from 1989 through 1992, and then became Assistant City Manager / City Coordinator.
Mr. Strome has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communications from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and a Masters of Public Administration-Government from Pace University.
Before joining government, Mr. Strome held positions at Hudson Westchester Radio where he was News Director, Vice President, and Program Director.
Mr. Strome is a member of the International City Managers’ Association, and former president of the New York State City / County Managers Association. He is also past President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Municipal Administrators Association of Metropolitan New York.
Mr. Strome is Chair of the Corporation for Local Development of the New Rochelle Industrial Development Agency, the Vice Chairman of the New Rochelle Corporation of Local Development, a member of the Executive Committee of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association, and the Co-Chair of the City School District’s District Wide Health and Safety Committee.
He has been the recipient of numerous awards from community organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Calabria Society, Boys’ and Girls’ Club of New Rochelle, New Rochelle Youth Bureau and New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence.
He has been a proud resident of New Rochelle for 28 years.
William V. Zimmermann
Bill Zimmermann, a native of Oceanside, New York, was appointed Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of New Rochelle in March 2004, following his original appointment as Director in July 2000. Mr. Zimmermann has held several public sector managerial positions working seventeen years for the Town of Mamaroneck, serving as the Superintendent of Recreation. He also served five plus years as Superintendent of Parks and Recreation for the Village of Irvington-On-Hudson and for two years as an Assistant Facilities Manager for the Town of Ramapo in Rockland County, New York.
Mr. Zimmermann received his undergraduate bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Cortland in 1976, preceded by an associate in applied science degree from SUNY @ Delhi Agricultural & Technical College in 1973.
He is well versed in municipal parks and recreation operations, currently serving as a faculty member of the National Director’s School accredited by the National Recreation and Parks Association and North Carolina State University and a distinguished member of the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration. He also serves as a professional delegate to the National Recreation and Park Association representing the Mid-Atlantic Regional Network and is the recipient of the prestigious Michael B. Berman Special Fellow Citation award. He is Past Chair and Regent Board Member for North Carolina State University’s Supervisor’s Management School. His commitment also includes service on the NRPA Board of Trustees, the APRS Board of Directors, Chairman of NRPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Council, Past-President of the New York State Recreation and Park Society, from which he received the associations highest award in April 2006 for Distinguished Service and as Past-President of the Westchester Recreation & Park Society.
Bill retired as Commissioner of the of Parks and Recreation Department in the spring of 2022 and served in an advisory role as a city consultant for the remainder of the calendar year.
Bill and his wife Mary currently reside in Tarrytown, New York.
Looking for Volunteers to Carry Giant Balloons!
Show your New Rochelle Pride at the New Rochelle Thanksgiving Day Parade! Volunteers must be able to walk the entire one-and-a-half-mile length of the parade route.
Volunteer for Parade!
Help the city made this years parade better than ever! Invite your friends and family by sharing this link.
There are two major roles: Balloon Holders & General Volunteers.
Balloon Holders
- Giant Parade Balloons: these volunteers help carry the giant balloons! No experience necessary, but volunteers must attend a short training and be 14+ to hold a balloon
- Display Balloons on Sticks: these volunteers help carry the smaller balloons! No experience necessary
General Volunteers
- Check-In Table Attendant: help check-in parade marchers and balloon-holders
- Banner Holders: help carry six banners leading the parade balloons (will walk the 1.5 mile route)
- Hot Chocolate Distributors: help with setting up a hot chocolate table and distributing hot chocolate to marchers
- Clean Up: help pick up any trash or litter left behind by marchers, take down tents and tables, and other miscellaneous tasks
- Information Volunteers: help pass along information about the parade
Sign up for your preferred role below! Specific tasks for General Volunteers will be assigned as volunteers arrive.