At the City of New Rochelle’s 48th annual Thanksgiving Parade there was something for everyone. It proceeded down North Avenue from near Eastchester Road, turned left on Main Street. and ended at the Maple Avenue parking lot. There were bands, floats, military, school groups and a wide range of participants representing many different organizations and merchants. The Chamber of Commerce and the City of New Rochelle sponsored the event amid speculation that there would be no financing of parades next year by the City. State Senator Jeff Klein was also in the parade as a sponsor. The police officers on duty, including Fudge, stood patiently waiting for it to begin.
Leading the parade was a group of eight Mount Vernon, Stamford and New Rochelle police officers on motorcycles blasting their sirens. This was followed by an honor guard and bagpipers from the Emerald Society of Westchester County. The Grand Marshall, Police Commissioner Patrick Carroll, followed as did the New Rochelle High School Band proudly sporting their purple and white uniforms. The Police Department Critical Incident Unit and Mobile Precinct were next. A group of City officials: Councilmen Lou Trangucci and Al Tarantino, Mayor Noam Bramson and his wife and two children marched. Then there was a Chamber of Commerce Float showing a King and Queen with a big plush turkey.
The long list of participating groups included many schools. Isaac Young students sported green balloons. Webster School students chanted “Let’s go Webster.” Holy Name School had a red, white and blue float with children on it. Next came Barnard school, William B. Ward School, Jefferson School students with red jackets and Trinity Elementary School students with blue jackets and an impressive marching band of drummers, and Columbus School students with blue shirts wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving. A New Rochelle High School group exhibited a cheering routine for the spectators. There were cub scouts from Holy Family, New Rochelle cubs wolf den, Troop 3/5, Girl Scouts in green,and Brownies in brown, who spiritedly chanted “We are the girl scouts, mighty, mighty girl scouts.” There was an assortment of other participants including a jeep holding Miss Westchester from Larchmont. A New Rochelle Honda car was accompanied by three clowns with red smocks and striped slacks.
Former State Assemblyman Ron Tocci marched with the veterans. From a float for missing in action service men, Peter Parente asked the crowd to “pray for the troops.” Soon following was a marching band dressed in black wearing Santa hats. The United Veterans float decorated in red, white and blue had a sign,”we remember.” The New Rochelle karate team in white uniforms came before the New Rochelle Chevrolet float which held the Statue of Liberty. New York State Troopers and Crime Stoppers, and SPCA of Putnam marched next. The New Rochelle Fire Department which is celebrating its 150th year had several fire trucks and ladders and one truck had clowns sitting on the back.
The Irish Benevolent Society’s float with green trim had members with green hats greeting the crowd. Soon the Iona Bagpipe Band appeared playing the Marine Hymn. After a few more groups including a Red Cross disaster relief truck, a Rescue 4 truck with Santa on top ended this glorious parade.
Spectators were quick to comment. Dolores Micutte said the parade was o.k. but used to be better. Jessica Coucimho was enthusiastic saying, “I liked it.” B. Johnson said the “parade was nice, but it was a whole lot smaller than when” he was a kid.
The sharpest words were by Lisa Samela who was a partner in Twin Donuts for 17 years until they lost their lease. She felt it was a shame what has happened to New Rochelle. There is “nothing for my kids to do here. Now you have to go to White Plains or the Bronx. Avalon residents don’t shop here.” Now she lamented, “They want to cut school crossing guards.” It takes 20 minutes to go down Main Street to go to a 99 cent or fruit store.”
Psychologists in recent years have been studying the beneficial effects of the powerful emotions which occur when giving thanks. Certainly this Thanksgiving Day Parade demonstrates the pride and thankfulness many resident have for the City of New Rochelle. Isn’t that reason enough to think about all that we have here for which we can be thankful.
In the November 30 issue of the Westchester Guardian