THE MANY TRADITIONS OF THANKSGIVING’
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanThanksgiving is a day to appreciate family and friends and to feel blessed for everything that we have and all that we have accomplished. We look forward to that bountiful turkey dinner complete with the trimmings. Diets are put on hold and the appetites are finally satisfied with plenty of fluffy mashed potatoes, piping hot green bean casseroles, steaming rolls oozing with butter, tart cranberries and fresh pumpkin pie covered with whipped cream with alittle bit of wine to wash it all down.
But Thanksgiving is not just about the food. A few traditions take a front seat during the festivities and we have come to greet them, love them and celebrate them as part of the holiday tradition.
First, we look forward to rising early and heating up the cocoa as we turn on the television to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that takes place every year along the streets of Manhattan. This year the parade turned 86 years old. Each year the ending point is right in front of Macy’s on 34th Street as we reminisce about ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ to get us into that holiday spirit. It is a procession of huge giant animated balloon characters with the likes of Kermit the Frog, our man Charlie Brown, pink and pretty Little Hello Kitty and other favorite kid cartoon characters. There are intricate and extravagant floats that make their way down the street with singers and dancers and children excited to be part of the action.
Marching bands are chosen from schools and universities across the nation and entertain in their own special way. Most of the bands feel that it doesn’t get any better than this.
There is a smorgasbord of dance numbers from Broadway Shows that use Macy’s entrance as their stage to perform sizzling hot dance and song routines straight from the theatre. Celebrities, musical artists and groups and actors all play a part in this enchanting parade.
Kids wait with baited breath to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus as he is escorted down the parade route on his sleigh and we know that Christmas is definitely on the way.
Adults look forward to the Radio City Rockettes as they form a perfectly organized show line and dance their way into our hearts for the holidays.
Another tradition not as familiar to some but just as important is the Presidential Pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey. It takes place the day before the holiday and this year it was part of a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. President Obama celebrated the 65th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation, reflected on Thanksgiving itself and wished American families a warm, safe and healthy holiday. The two 40-pound turkeys were known as Cobbler and Gobbler. You may ask who came up with these adorable names.
The names were chosen from submissions from elementary schools in Rockingham County, Virginia, where the turkeys were raised. Many of the submissions came from schools in agriculture-producing areas. It gave students an appreciation for agriculture, the world supply and the relationship to the local economies. This was the first year that the American public decided which of the two turkeys would become the 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey by casting their vote via the White House Facebook page. First comes the pardoning and then the turkeys are driven to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. There this majestic turkey winner will be put on display through January 6, 2013 as visitors make their way to “Christmas At Mount Vernon”. When the holidays come to an end, both turkeys will live in a custom-made enclosure at Mount Vernon’s nationally recognized livestock facility.
While the women usually favor trying out new recipes, feasting on luscious foods and sitting and socializing, the men have come to regard this holiday as a “day of fine football”. Some of the most thrilling games of the NFL have taken place as fans cheer their teams on. Today the New England Patriots took on the New York Jets and the Patriots proved to be the champions. (49 to 19)
As the last of Thanksgiving dinner is being cleaned up, Black Friday starts even earlier than in past years. Shopping deals start as early as Thanksgiving evening and the shopping holiday extends all the way to 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. on Black Friday. Serious shoppers will find bargains all throughout the evening and into the early morning hours.
There is something for everyone on this day that we give thanks. Hope that you had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
PHOTO CREDITS: A/P, White House Facebook Page
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