2024 Thanksgiving Sponsorships

PLATNIUM “Presented By” PARADE SPONSOR – $10,000
“Presented By” recognition and prominent logo placement on event marketing materials: logo & sponsor name on all posters, parade banners, outdoor kiosk & banner advertisement, emails, electronic boards at the train station, 20+ digital community calendars, opening & closing credits of the NRTV multiple re-broadcasts of the parade on Thanksgiving Weekend and social media from the City & NR Chamber. Participation in the official Parade Kick-Off Photos. Sponsor marches in VIP/Dignitaries Section leading the Parade. Sponsor recognition repeated throughout NRTV Broadcast. Sponsor included in radio pre-parade commercials. 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, opening & closing credits of the NRTV multiple re-broadcasts of the Parade on Thanksgiving Weekend, and social media from the City and NR Chamber. Sponsor recognition repeated throughout NRTV Broadcast. Participation in the official Parade Kick-Off Photos.

SILVER PARADE SPONSOR – $3,500
Logo & sponsor name on all emails, 20+ digital community calendars, opening & closing credits of the NRTV multiple re-broadcasts of the Parade on Thanksgiving Weekend, and social media from the City and NR Chamber. Sponsor recognition repeated throughout NRTV Broadcast.

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 recognized on NRTV as balloon passes Broadcast Booth. 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 $4,000 – LEAD PARADE BALLOON
  Mighty Mouse is the FIRST BALLOON in the Parade and is the most iconic. He is our Hometown Hero as he was created right here in New Rochelle at the Terrytoons Studio in the K Building on North Avenue! Mighty Mouse is beloved in New Rochelle and always gets the most cheers, attention, photos and media coverage while leading the Parade.
  
  
• GIANT PARADE BALLOON – $3,000
  Other Parade Balloons include My Little Pony, Elmo, Peppa Pig, Rudolph, and the 100 Year Celebration Cake!
  
  
• CO-BRANDED BALLOON – $2,000

FLOAT SPONSORSHIPS – $2,000
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 – $2,500 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 – $2,000
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.

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.

Click here for Online Sponsorship Payments

For questions or more information contact call Catherine White 914-632-5700 or email catherine@newrochamber.org

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.

2024 Grand Marshal – Ray Rice

Ray Rice attended New Rochelle High School (NRHS), where he was the Huguenots’ primary running back from 2002 to 2004. In his sophomore year, he played in the Iona-New Rochelle Turkey Bowl, where New Rochelle defeated the Gaels 53-6. The next year Ray led NRHS to a New York State title when the school defeated Webster Schroeder 32-6 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. NRHS lost only one game in each of Ray’s three seasons of varsity football. Ray was a two-time Journal News Player of the Year. Ray holds the state record for yards in a single game: he gained 462 yards on 42 carries on October 24, 2004. Ray was a two-time Journal News Player of the Year.

In Ray’s freshman year at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights had their first winning season in 13 years and played in only their second bowl game in the football program’s then 136-year history. Ray finished his freshman season as the starting tailback. He rushed for 1,120 yards and five touchdowns, including a 217-yard execution against the Connecticut Huskies and 195-yard feat against the Cincinnati Bearcats. As a sophomore, Ray gained 1,794 rushing years with 20 touchdowns. His rushing totals set Rutgers’ single-season rushing record. Ray was a finalist for the Maxwell Award and finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting. In 2007, he was named Big East offensive player of the week three times. Each time, he rushed for over 200 yards. Rice ended his sophomore season with 170 yards on 24 carries with one touchdown during the inaugural Texas Bowl to give Rutgers its first bowl victory in a 37-10 win over Kansas State. He was named the game’s MVP. At the International Bowl, Ray ran for a new school record of 280 yards, along with four touchdowns. His 90-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career. He won that game’s MVP award.

After that season, Ray entered the 2008 NFL Draft and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round. He played for the Ravens from 2008 to 2013. He had 1,430 carries for 6,180 yards, 369 catches for 3,034 yards and scored 43 touchdowns. Ray won the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award five times. After successfully executing a conversion on a checkdown play nicknamed “Hey Diddle Diddle, Ray Rice Up the Middle”, Ray was awarded the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week Award. Ray’s career awards and highlights: Superbowl Champion (XLVII); three-time Pro Bowl selection (2009, 2011, 2012): two-time second-team All-Pro selection (2009, 2011); AFC rushing touchdown leader (2011); and NFL scrimmage yards leader (2011).

Ray is known for his community service both in New Rochelle and Baltimore. Ray was awarded the Community Spirit Award from the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence in March 2010. In 2012, he was voted the city of Baltimore’s Most Charitable Person. Ray was a sponsor of the NFL’s Play 60, which encourages young kids’ fitness. In 2012 Ray created the Ray Rice Charitable Foundation which helps children at local hospitals, runs football camps for less privileged children, hosts annual school supply and toy drives, engages in community building and hosts food drives in both Baltimore and Westchester. Some events under the Ray Rice Charitable Foundation have been centered on initiatives such as, “A Ray of Hope: A Pro-Kindness, Anti-Bullying, Teen Suicide Prevention Outreach.” Ray’s newest non-profit, Pipeline 2 Prosperity (P2P), was established in 2022 to focus on changing the lives of young men and women struggling to avoid the Pipeline to Prison narrative placed on them. After visiting youth residential facilities, Ray was inspired to support this population. Through community events, parent engagement opportunities and enrichment programs, P2P works in both New Rochelle and Baltimore to create successful pathways for a new generation of youth. In New Rochelle, P2P sponsors the Youth Tackle League’s Huguenot Elite program.

Ray’s post-football work also includes working with organizations such as A Call to Men, the Childhood Domestic Violence Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as speaking to professional, college and high school athletes about domestic violence as a component of player development.

In 2012, Ray’s number 5 New Rochelle High School Huguenots jersey was retired. Ray was inducted into the New Rochelle Walk of Fame in 2017. He was inducted into Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. On December 31, 2023, Ray was honored by the Baltimore Ravens as a “Legend of the Game.” Most recently Ray was inducted into the New Rochelle Sports Hall of Fame in October 2024.

Ray is married to his wife Janay. They have two children, a daughter, Rayven and a son, Jaylen.

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.

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.