The New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce together with the City of New Rochelle proudly announces the 2023 Grand Marshal of the New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade, Minister Mark McLean. Minister McLean will have the honor of leading the 59th Annual Thanksgiving Parade as its Grand Marshal on Saturday, November 18, 2023 when the Parade kicks off at 10AM. As Grand Marshal, Minister McLean will ride down the Parade route along North Avenue in style thanks to Audi New Rochelle who is providing a convertible Audi S5 Cabriolet for the celebration.
Minister Mark McLean is a lifelong resident of New Rochelle. Minister McLean graduated from New Rochelle High school in 1981, where he excelled in football and music. He went on to attend City College of New York in Harlem NY studying music and the history and cultures of African people throughout the diaspora.
Minister McLean served the City of New Rochelle as a Fire Fighter and retired at the rank of Lieutenant after more than 33 years. Minister Mark McLean’s community involvement spans close to 20 years serving on the Westchester County Human Rights Commission for 5 years, and leading the Political Action Committee, of both the NAACP New Rochelle Branch and the Uniform Fire Fighter Association Local 273, for several years. Minister McLean is the past President of the Gathering of Men of New Rochelle Inc. and through his consulting firm, Urban Tusk Community Strategies, has partnered with Westchester County of NY to assist Minority, Women Business Enterprises to achieve success. He serves on the board of Interfaith Dwellings Corporation, a company that consists of houses of worship seeking to impact the shortage of affordable housing. Minister McLean is presently the President of the NAACP New Rochelle Branch, the Inter Religious Coalition of New Rochelle, and CEO of Kingdom Community Consultants. Minister Mark McLean serves as an Elder and community liaison for Bishop Reford Mott and Generations Church of New Rochelle. He has been married to his lovely wife Denise for over 35 years and they have a daughter Kadiedra; 2 sons, Imhotep and Kemet; a grandson Kaiden and a granddaughter Zhuri.
“As a lifelong resident of New Rochelle, I am delighted and honored to be chosen Grand Marshal of this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Minister McLean. “In spite of all the great challenges this year, I am so grateful to be alive and I give thanks to God to be a part of such a great and loving family that is the city of New Rochelle. Happy Thanksgiving!”
This year’s parade also salutes the New Rochelle Firefighters UFFA Local 273’s 100th Anniversary and its extensive history of service to New Rochelle.
“The New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade is a NR Chamber and City tradition. This year’s Parade honors Grand Marshal Minister Mark McLean for his long service to the City in both a professional and volunteer capacity,” said Rob Hayes, President of the NR Chamber of Commerce and owner of The Beechmont Tavern. “It’s an especially fitting choice as we’re also celebrating the New Rochelle Firefighters UFFA Local 273’s 100th Anniversary. We’re glad to recognize them both in the Parade. Congratulations!”
The 2023 Parade route will be along North Avenue – beginning at Eastchester Road and ending at Bonnefoy Place. The New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade kicks off at 10am on November 18th. There are excellent viewing spots along North Avenue with a performance spot at the Grandstand near Anderson Street Plaza where the Parade will be recorded for broadcasts on NRTV during Thanksgiving Weekend.
The parade will feature floats and giant parade balloons including New Rochelle’s own iconic Mighty Mouse, Tom the Turkey, Peppa Pig and others. There will be marching bands playing throughout the parade, vintage cars and firetrucks, dancers, singers and marchers from Iona University and Monroe College, local schools, businesses and community organizations. And, of course, Santa will be there too!
The NR Chamber is still accepting applications to march in the Parade. Sponsors and volunteers are also needed. To signup, visit the NR Chamber website page https://newrochellechamber.org/thanksgiving-parade-2023/ to stay on top of all the Parade details and updates.
About the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1922, the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce fosters economic growth and prosperity in the New Rochelle business community. The Chamber of Commerce is committed to advancing the concerns of the New Rochelle business community, the economic vitality of the City, and ensuring that New Rochelle presents an environment that supports growth and prosperity. Learn more at http://newrochellechamber.org/.
About the City of New Rochelle
With an unparalleled location, superb quality of life, diverse and talented residents and a focused business climate, New Rochelle is experiencing the transformation of a lifetime. The City’s economic development plan will provide a spark for the entire Hudson Valley region, positioning it as “open for business” and embracing smart, transit-oriented development growth patterns. Accelerated by a new, fast-track zoning process, the new Master Development initiative will enhance the downtown area by boosting job creation, property values and private investment – while enhancing sustainability through green and energy-efficient design. Learn more at https://www.ideallynewrochelle.com/.
