Through our longtime partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Special Projects & Community Events, Great Performances was asked to partner with MOSPCE and Madison Square Garden to bookend the 2026 New York Knicks Ticker-Tape Parade with a VIP breakfast at the U.S. Custom House and green room refreshments at City Hall adjacent to the Key to the City Ceremony. Navigating stuck trucks, extra +1s, and missed police escorts, we made it all happen – talk about a winning team! Hear from our event staff about this momentous, whirlwind day below.
Breakfast at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House
What a day! One of the more physical shifts I have done, but also so rewarding for the memories of a lifetime. Rolling linens through the bowels of NYC with JR and Knicks fans helping me lift as I got to a few sidewalk curbs. Chris Rock feigning death because we needed ten minutes for the coffee to be ready. He instead had a wonderful pineapple/mango smoothie. Jordan Clarkson did the same! I appreciate the opportunity afforded me, being a lifetime Knicks fan who last saw a championship when I was eight years old! – James A. Dunham, Server
In my experience, despite facing obstacles, all of our GP staff worked as a “Winning Team” with courage, determination, and endurance to finish up our final match – and we Won! EXCELLENT!!! GO NEW YORK KNICKS!!! GO GP GO!!! – Elizabeth Silva, VIP Attendant to the Dolan Family
Crossing the threshold into hour two without our food or rental trucks, I was beginning to think that this event simply was not going to happen. When we were finally granted access to the pre-parade route to rescue our truck from where it was marooned four blocks away, I took off in a dead sprint, knowing that my options were likely going to be: A. Convince the powers that be that I really needed this truck to come through the barricades or B. Hand-carry 300 guests’ worth of food and coffee back to the loading dock. I turned around mid-run to find that most of our event staff had run with me to save our wares; I can’t begin to describe how honored, overjoyed, and floored I was – and still am – by their dedication. Thankfully, we were blessed with option A, got the event up and running, and my Producer, Allison, and I even got to walk in the parade; just another day in the life of a caterer! – Morgan Golumbuk, Senior Event Director
Thursday was easily one of the most challenging yet rewarding events I have ever been a part of. It is an experience I will never forget. The day was a whirlwind, from navigating police cordons just to arrive on-site, to setting up party rentals and GP equipment in the final hour before guests arrived. At one point, many of us were even running the parade route just to locate our trucks, and we eventually escorted the GP truck through the start of the parade. Even the load-out was a feat, as we navigated the trucks back through the crowded streets. I am truly amazed by what we accomplished and so proud of the entire team. Seeing everyone so happy made all the effort worthwhile. – Scott Cooper, Server/Sanitation Attendant
To say that doing this Knickerbocker event was easy is an understatement.
T’was a nerve-racking setup that seemed as if it wouldn’t happen.
When things seemed Impossible, we got it done!
From food to rentals blocks away, the word Can’t could not work today!
The Kingpins of the city had to have their breakfast of champions ready no matter what!
So we delivered, from the beginning to the end of the parade. ‘Cause when it’s crunch time, you either go hard or you go home!
KNICKS IN FIVE!!!
GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO! – J.R. Alceus, Sanitation Captain
I want to add the “chaotic Fun” for that morning. The crowd was rooting for us as we chased the GP truck. They cheered us on as we were finally able to get the truck close enough to unload. Having the crowd support us gave a sense of joy. – Renee LaBrew, Captain
Green Room Refreshments at City Hall
These events come with all sorts of challenges, but teamwork and client satisfaction is what matters most. A highlight of my day was being able to directly serve H.E.R. a plate of fruit when she came around to the kitchen service area. Our staff was so pleasant and accommodating despite being there since 5am! 🙂 As a new New Yorker, I was proud to be a part of such a historical event. – Kat Williams, Chef
Attending the Knicks championship parade at City Hall was hands down the best day of my life, offering a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be in a room surrounded by legends and champions. The energy was electric as I got to meet the players, including Mitchell Robinson, who capped off the excitement with an unforgettable high five, and the legendary Patrick Ewing himself. A personal highlight was greeting Mayor Mamdani with a “Good Morning,” prompting him to stop, smile, shake my hand, and warmly greet me back. Everyone in attendance was having the absolute best time, and it felt incredibly rewarding when they took a moment to express their gratitude for our services at the end of such an epic celebration. – Kasandra Macababayao, VIP Attendant
From the start of the morning at 4am on our train rides to City Hall, we all felt the proud NEW YORK energy, the Knicks jerseys were out and looking for their prime spots to witness history! My team knew the significance of the day and were ready for all of the changes and obstacles (dare I say hoops to jump through) we were about to encounter. It was all worth it, to witness the unimaginable joy that filled the streets of New York, and the very halls we got to walk through of City Hall that day. Highlights for me include the smiles on my team’s faces (especially Kasandra and Maureen) when the players and everyone they invited entered the room to celebrate, and getting to have a conversation with H.E.R. (one of my fave musicians) about her music over a GP fruit plate! – S.K. McGarry, Captain
