Thousands Brave Freezing Temperatures to Enjoy Annual New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade

Written By: Robert Cox

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The 51st annual Valenti New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade was held on sunny but cold skies with temperatures hovering around freezing.

Santa Claus made his annual appearance atop a New Rochelle fire truck to the delight of children and adults alike.

The cold weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of the schools, marching bands civic groups and elected officials who kicked off the parade at 10:00am on North Avenue at Eastchester Road. Led by Grand Marshall Davis O’Shaughnessy of WVOX Radio, the parade continued down North Avenue to Main Street, and then on Main Street to Maple Avenue.

The parade was preceded by the Annual Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by the Fund for Educational Excellence, at New Rochelle High School. A packed crowd braced themselves for the parade with pancakes, bacon, sausages, coffee and hot cocoa. Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne joined other administrators and board members serving breakfast.