The celebration of Thanksgiving in North Carolina dates back to 1758, when Governor Arthur Dobbs called upon the people of the North Carolina colony to observe June 7 of that year as a day of fasting and prayer.
The first official day of thanksgiving was celebrated in the Tar Heel State in 1849, when Governor William A. Graham “urged the legislature to set aside a day for the forgiveness of injuries—for acts of good neighborliness, and especially for the charitable remembrance of the poor. .”
Since that time North Carolinians have found many ways to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday season, from a traditional meal at home to a more recent focus on shopping and social festivities.
From turkey trots and live music, to holiday parades and tours of historic sites, here are six unique ways to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in the New Bern area and other sites in eastern North Carolina.
Twin Rivers YMCA Turkey Trot
The 15th annual Twin Rivers YMCA Turkey Trot will be held Nov. 24 at Taberna Golf and Country Club, 401 Taberna Way in New Bern. The Turkey Trot features a 5K perfect for families, open to both timed and untimed runners and walkers. The 10K race is intended for competitive runners and is open to timed participants only. There will also be a virtual option that allows participants to complete the 10k or 5K by running or jogging anywhere between November 23 and November 25 in their own neighborhood, a nearby park or other location. Awards are given to the top male and female finishers in each race.
To register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/NewBern/TwinRiversYMCATurkeyTrot.
Discover Tryon Palace: Life Downstairs
On Thanksgiving Day from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Tryon Palace will honor the often-unrecognized free and enslaved staff members of the palace’s history. A tour of “Life on the Lesser Staircase” shines a light on those who prepare meals, look after horses, empty chamber pots and perform other tasks that allow for a life of luxury. The tour includes the palace, stables and kitchen office.
Space is limited on each tour and flash photography is prohibited. All visitors must wear face masks in indoor settings. For more information, visit https://www.tryonpalace.org/.
Tap it! Black Friday Party
Need to recover from the Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shopping frenzy? Relax after the shopping spree at Tap That! Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 25 with live music by soulful rock and pop band Bridge Atlantic in New Bern, DJ K-Dash will light up the dance floor from 7:30-11 p.m. for holiday revelers looking to work off that turkey and fill up Thanksgiving dinners.
Festival of Lights Hayride
Mike’s Farm of Beulaville will host a 30-minute hayride on Thanksgiving Day from 6-9 p.m. featuring lighted holiday scenes, a live nativity and Christmas music. No reservations are required for the hayride, with $12 tickets for ages 5 and up. The farm store, bakery and NC Produce Barn will also be open Thanksgiving Day from 3-9 p.m.
Emerald Isle Christmas Parade
Looking to get an early start on the Christmas festivities with a day at the beach? The Emerald Isle will hold its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, November 26 at 2pm as it travels through town along NC 58. The parade will begin at the Emerald Isle Government Complex and end at Mangrove Drive near CVS. The parade will feature holiday-themed floats, with Santa Claus scheduled to appear at the end.
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla
An annual celebration since 1983, Wilmington’s 2022 Holiday Flotilla will launch at Wrightsville Beach and neighboring beaches on Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. The spirit will light up the night sky. Along with the flotilla, the event will include an all-day festival and fireworks after the main event.
For more information, visit https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/event/nc-holiday-flotilla%3A-parade-%26-fireworks/5216/
