8 Thanksgiving Traditions You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Updated: Oct. 06, 2022From turkey trots to a cornucopia of TV viewing, here are some unique Thanksgiving traditions to add to your own celebration.
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Go Turkey Bowling
Picture a frozen whole turkey as the bowling ball, and a pyramid of cranberry sauce cans as the pins. That, my friends, is turkey bowling. One of the more famous turkey bowling events is hosted by FOX 8, a television station in Cleveland. On Thanksgiving morning, 16 people compete at a Giant Eagle grocery store in South Euclid to win the coveted Turkey Bowl trophy.
Forgot to thaw the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner? Here are tips that will save your feast.
Play Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Bingo
From performances of Broadway hits to marching bands to giant balloons, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is full of things to mark on a bingo card. You can DIY your own, or use a kid-friendly card like this one. Fuel your parade watching with one of these make-ahead Thanksgiving breakfast recipes.
Try a Slice of PieCaken
Can’t decide on a single pie? Why not try a PieCaken. Available nationwide via Goldbelly, this triple-layered dessert consists of layers of pecan pie, pumpkin pie and apple spice cake. Learn more about the Piecaken here.
Enter a Dress the Turkey Contest
For those with an artistic side, the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper has held a Dress the Turkey contest for over 30 years. The winners take home $100 prizes, and many more are featured in the paper on Thanksgiving day. Find more fun Thanksgiving crafts to keep the kids busy.
Watch the National Dog Show
Skip the parade, and tune in to the National Dog Show. Over 11 million viewers watched last year, making it the most widely viewed dog show in America. It’s on TV from noon to 2 p.m., and this NBC classic features hosts John Hurley, David Frei and Mary Carillo.
No need to leave your dog out of the holiday feast—whip up a batch of homemade dog treats.
Run a Turkey Trot
There’s nothing like an afternoon feast to encourage a morning run! Turkey Trots are typically 5K or 10K runs held Thanksgiving morning across the United States. Look for a run that offers a slice of pumpkin pie as a reward at the finish line.
Attempt a Turducken
A turducken is pretty much what it sounds like: a chicken, stuffed inside a duck, stuffed inside a turkey. This feat of poultry is popular to cook for a standout Thanksgiving main.
Share the Legend of the Five Kernels
In New England, many families share the legend of the Five Kernels of Corn. It serves as a reminder of the hardships the Pilgrims faced and all that we should be grateful for today. If you plan to host a casual feast, cover the table with butcher paper and ask guests to write what they’re thankful for on the table.
