Activities for the Family
Mother Goose Parade: Sunday, November 18, 2012
Come see the largest parade in San Diego County and the largest of its type west of the Mississippi. Each year, the parade attracts thousands of spectators to the streets of
El Cajon, California to view the parade for free on the “Sunday before Thanksgiving”.
Enjoy the line-up of spectacular motorized floats, glorious marching bands and drill units, eloquent equestrians, animated clowns, special characters, special guests, performing artists, celebrities, giant helium balloons, specialty vehicles, and of course, Santa Claus. Every parade entry is specially selected to bring enjoyment to children and adults alike.
See MotherGooseParade.com for more information.
O’side Turkey Trot: Thursday, November 22, 2012
Make your plans now to enter the annual race that makes it fun to Move Your Feet Before You Eat on Turkey Day. There are three different races to choose from including races for kids. Registration opens at 6:00am and the final races start at 11:00am. All races start at Oceanside Civic Center, 330 N. Coast Highway 92054 (Corner of Mission and Coast Hwy). See OSideTurkeyTrot for more details and registration.
Father Joe’s Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk
The annual autumn race benefits St. Vincent de Paul Village, the city’s largest homeless charity. This year’s event starts at 7:45am on Thanksgiving Day in Balboa Park. See ThanksgivingRun for more details.
Run for the Hungry Thanksgiving Day 5K & 10k
Thousands of caring San Diego County Residents lace up their running and walking shoes each Thanksgiving morning and head downtown for the annual United Run for the Hungry 5K/10K Run/Walk. This run/walk continues to grow each year because of its great mix of ingredients: an awesome course starting at Petco Park and traveling through the Gaslamp and East Village, fun entertainment, tasty refreshments, and the cause. The event plays an important role in providing food for thousands of hungry families in our community. Be a part of the action on Thanksgiving and show San Diego’s hungry you care.
Proceeds benefit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, and Foodmobile, a program of Jewish Family Service. Annually, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank distributes food for more than 10 million meals. Foodmobile delivers more than 28,000 hot meals to the elderly and homebound. SeeRunForTheHungry for more information.
Thank You Run, Thanksgiving Day, 4S Ranch
The Thank You Run supports two worthwhile causes. Helen’s Closet, which provides comfort equipment to terminally ill ALS patients and the 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation which supports local schools, the surrounding community and other priorities.
5K: 7:30am 10K: 7:45am Kids Run: 9:00am.
The Kids Run is a 1K loop within the 4S Ranch Community Park. Timing chips are provided for the 5K and 10K Runners but the Kid’s Run is for fun and will not be timed. All runners (including the children) will receive medals. All registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable.
For more information go to ThankYouRun.org .
Holiday Parade, Clairemont Town Square, Friday, Nov 23, 2012, 11am – 2pm Kick-off the Holiday Season at the Clairemont Town Square Hoiday Parade! You will want to bring the entire family for a day of laughter, fun and excitement. Children can visit Santa, have their photo taken, and create an adorable Holiday craft that will be enjoyed for years to come.
For more information, contact 858-272-0992 or www.clairemontsquare.com .
Santa’s Coming Arts ‘n Crafts Fair, Bates Nut Farm, Friday Nov 23 – Sunday Nov 25
Bates Nut Farm will be hosting their annual “Santa’s Coming!†Arts ‘n Craft Fair over Thanksgiving weekend. The Craft Fair will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 23 – 27 from 9 am to 4 pm. Over 80 artisans will be selling a variety of handmade crafts and fine art.
Surfin’ Santa Arrival, Seaport Village, Saturday, Nov 24, 1pm – 5pm
Surfin’ Santa will ditch his red suit and reindeer to spread his holiday cheer in true Southern California fashion as he makes his annual arrival in San Diego on November 24. Sailing into downtown’s Seaport Village by yacht and sporting his favorite board shorts and flip-flops, he’ll take a break from his holiday duties to enjoy the San Diego sunshine with locals and visitors from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Kids and adults will greet San Diego’s board short-wearing Santa for a lively parade down the boardwalk after he arrives at 1 p.m. aboard the Corinthian, courtesy of the San Diego Yacht Club. Santa will be available for photos on his surfboard all afternoon, leaving time to enjoy the kids craft tables, strolling entertainers and delectable dining into the evening.
Crafts
There are many homemade arts and crafts you can try…
- Keep it simple with tracing hands and making it into a turkey or painting leaves for Fall…save the art to post each year at this time!
- Make a thankful chain. Cut out strips in Fall colors and keep them out during the month and guide your kids to think of things they are thankful for (i.e. grandparents, food, sister, etc.) By Thanksgiving, you can have a large chain to reflect on. You can also have your guests help you do this on Thanksgiving.
- Another variation is a table runner that you can write the thankful items on and note the year.
- Help your child make a homemade Thanksgiving card for neighbors or family members.
- Visit your local library to check out some Thanksgiving books.
Helpful Thanksgiving Craft websites:
Help Others
Serve together at a Thanksgiving meal in your community.
Buy an extra turkey and take it to the nearest Food Bank or grocery store gathering food donations.
Food Hotlines
Butterball Turkey Talk-Line
800.288.8372 or Butterball.com (I have personally called this number)! ~ Deb
Foster Farms Turkey Helpline
800.255.7227
Get all your questions answered about cooking a turkey.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat & Poultry Hotline
888.674.6854
Food specialists answer calls year round in Spanish and English on meat & poultry preparation.
Empire Kosher Poultry Customer Hotline
717-436-7055 or on-line
Recipes and tips on cooking poultry.
Other helpful web sites:
- Â Â Cook’s Illustrated
- Â Â EatTurkey.com
- Â Â About.Com
- Â Â Food Network
