Honoring Three Decades of Service to New Rochelle as the City Celebrates “We the People… Celebrating America’s 250th”
The New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, together with the City of New Rochelle and Presenting Sponsor the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District, proudly announces that Andrew “Andy” Sandor, retired Fire Commissioner and Chief of the New Rochelle
Fire Department, has been named Grand Marshal of the 62nd Annual New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade on Saturday, November 21, 2026.
Chief Sandor, who retired in June 2026 after 30 years of distinguished service with the New Rochelle Fire Department, will lead this year’s parade down North Avenue as the community gathers to celebrate Thanksgiving and America’s 250th anniversary. This year’s parade theme, “We the People… Celebrating America’s 250th,” is a fitting backdrop for honoring a man whose career has been defined by service to his country, his fellow firefighters and the people of New Rochelle.
“After spending a good part of my life serving the citizens of New Rochelle and representing the Fire Department and our Firefighters at countless Citywide events, it is a humbling and personal honor to be selected as the Grand Marshal for the 2026 New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade. Please come out with your neighbors to enjoy this great annual event and support our incredible community!” said Chief Andy Sandor, Ret.
“The New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade is an NR Chamber and City tradition. This year’s Parade honors Grand Marshal Andy Sandor for his long service to the City in both a professional and volunteer capacity. Chief Sandor has made New Rochelle a safer and better City,” said Rob Hayes, President of the NR Chamber of Commerce and owner of The Beechmont Tavern. “Today and every day, we’re thankful for all the NR
Chamber members – past and present – who have worked to enhance the economic and business life of the City. And our Grand Marshal, NRFD Chief Andy Sandor, Ret., embodies that spirit of service. We’re glad to honor him in the Parade. Congratulations!”
Chief Sandor began his career with the New Rochelle Fire Department in 1996 after serving as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance. During his 30-year career with the department, he rose through the ranks, serving as firefighter, lieutenant, captain and deputy chief before being appointed Fire Commissioner and Chief of Department in 2018.
Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Sandor demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public safety, firefighter health and wellness, and community engagement. His service extended beyond New Rochelle, including his response to Lower Manhattan following the September 11, 2001 attacks, his work as a New York State and Westchester County fire instructor, and his leadership as Chair of the Westchester County Fire Advisory Board.
Chief Sandor will be joined in celebrating this special honor by his wife, Robin, and their children, Hope and Tyler.
The 62nd Annual New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade will step off at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, beginning at Eastchester Road and North Avenue and proceeding south along North Avenue to Bonnefoy Place. New Rochelle’s iconic Mighty Mouse will lead the procession of giant parade balloons, joined by Tom the Turkey, Peppa Pig, Fred Flintstone, Strawberry Shortcake and others. The parade will also feature marching bands, festive floats, vintage cars, fire trucks, motorcycles, dancers, singers and community organizations, along with representatives from Iona University, Monroe University, local schools and businesses. And, of course, Santa Claus will make his traditional appearance!
Spectators will find excellent viewing opportunities along North Avenue, including the grandstand near Anderson Plaza in New Rochelle’s Vanguard District, where parade participants will stop to perform. The parade will be recorded for broadcast on NRTV throughout Thanksgiving Weekend on Optimum Channel 75 and Verizon FiOS Channel 28.
The parade is presented by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce together with the City of New Rochelle, with the New Rochelle Downtown BID serving as Presenting Sponsor. Local restaurants and businesses along the parade route will welcome spectators, offering opportunities to enjoy New Rochelle’s dining establishments while taking in the festivities.
Community organizations, dance schools, nonprofit groups, businesses, cosplayers and performers interested in marching in this year’s parade can register at https://forms.gle/VHMZVxS99sfWA3KQ9.
Volunteers are also needed, including balloon handlers to help guide the parade’s giant character balloons along North Avenue. To volunteer, register through Volunteer New York! at
https://www.volunteernewyork.org/opportunity/a07Nr000026fGI0IAM/2026-new-rochelle-thanksgivingparade.
For additional parade information, including parking, road closures, registration, volunteer opportunities
and event updates, visit https://newrochellechamber.org/thanksgiving-parade-2026/.