Cape & Islands - Happy Turkey Day!

The first "Thanksgiving" in 1621 was a traditional three day English harvest celebration to which the Pilgrims invited Massasoit, Chief of the the Wamapanoag. It wasn't until the nineteenth century that this event became identified with the American Thanksgiving holiday. Visit Plimoth Plantation to learn about the "First Thanksgiving".

Need help with your own Thanksgiving celebration? Check out Ocean Spray's Kitchen Plan-it for "tasty tips for a delicious holiday". Visit Watts Family Farm in Sandwich or Miss Scarlet's Blue Ribbon Farm in YarmouthPort for a local turkey. Don't feel like cooking, make dinner reservations at a Cape Cod restaurant or better yet, impose on a relative to make the dinner! Then relax and eat!

There's lots to do besides eat... The 105th Annual Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument is Wednesday, November 23 at 5:00 PM. Those on Nantucket will want to kick off the Holiday Season by checking out The Festival of Wreaths at The Whaling Museum opening on Nov 23.

Need some exercise before dinner? Those visiting, or living in, Nantucket may want to get up early and take the 15th Annual Cold Turkey Plunge. The 11th Annual Chatham Turkey Trot steps off at 7:00AM.

The tradition of the 14 year "We Gather Together 5K" continues this year in Sandwich with the "Thanksgiving Sandwich 5K~2016" to benefit food pantries of Sandwich & Bourne. Not a runner? Don't let the spirit of giving run its course, please consider making a donation to the Sandwich Food Pantry or another food pantry of your choice

The fun doesn't stop after Thursday; there is plenty to do on Cape Cod all weekend long! Work off any extra consumed calories while contributing to a good cause by running the Annual Andrea Holden Thanksgiving Race on Saturday. Artisans' Guild of Cape Cod is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Weekend "Fine Art & Craft Show". Doors open at 10:00 AM Friday & Saturday at the Nauset Middle School in Orleans to an array of handmade crafts and fine art by professional Cape Cod artists. Heritage Museums & Gardens' Annual Celebration of Lights, Gardens Aglow, opens Thanksgiving weekend. The 7th Annual Glassblowers' Christmas & Special Exhibit: The 12 Days of Christmas Exhibit at Sandwich Glass Museum opens on Nov 14 continues through Dec 30. Check our calendar for more events. Or just take a walk!

Happy Thanksgiving! from all of us at AllCapeCod.com