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Boston's Best Thanksgiving Celebrations And Events For The Family

Toss the leftovers in the fridge, grab the car keys, and bring the kids and celebrate the country's Thanksgiving traditions right here in the place where it all began. From turkey trots to black Friday shopping to historical and fur-filled tours - it all awaits you.
lynne's kids
(Photo from Facebook)

Lynne O'Connell Memorial Thanksgiving Road Race
Rolly's Tavern
338 Broadway
Lynn, MA 01904
(781) 599-2160
www.lynneskids.orgDate: Nov. 22 - 9:30 a.m.; registration – 8 a.m.
Price: $25 registration

A family fun 5K run/walk begins at Rolly's Tavern every Thanksgiving in memory of Lynne O'Connell of Lynn, Mass. The event is sponsored by Lynne's Kids, a non-profit organization created in memory of Lynne O'Connell, who was the vice president of operations for Pewter Pot Restaurants for 20 years. O'Connell, who was a tireless advocate for indigent children, passed away in 2011. During her lifetime, she would enjoy morning runs around her Lynn neighborhood. In honor of this beloved woman, the 5K Turkey Trot (also known as Lynne's Kids 5K Fun Run/Walk or the Lynne O'Connell Memorial 5K) began in 2011 to bring awareness to a healthy lifestyle.

Related: 13th Annual Boston Volvo 5K Road Race

parade
(Photo from Facebook)

Thanksgiving Celebration
Cordage Park Circle, Suite 230
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 746-1818
www.usathanksgiving.comDate: Nov. 16 to 18

The 15th Annual America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration will be held at Plymouth Harbor and Waterfront, Plymouth, Mass. The celebration will include free tours of historic Plymouth, a Friday-night free concert to honor military veterans, a parade and a candle-lighting ceremony. In addition, colonial-clad artisans will perform trade demonstrations such as blacksmithing, weaving, candle-making and other notable crafts of the pilgrims' time period. It will host historical re-enactments to depict life in the 1600s and offer an educational explanation of the history of the Thanksgiving parade. The location features a Native American pavilion where visitors can be educated on the true story of the Wampanoag tribe and the Colonists' first "Thanksgiving" in 1621. Educational explanations concerning many of the ceremonies, rituals and traditions of the Pilgrims and Wampanoags will be featured throughout the weekend. A sneak-preview of the 400th anniversary (2020) celebration will also be revealed.

Related: American's Hometown Thanksgiving 5K

stone-zoo
(Photo Credit: Zoo New England)

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Stone Zoo
149 Pond St.
Stoneham MA 02180
(781) 438-5100
www.zoonewengland.orgPrice: $7 adults/$6 seniors/$5 children ages 2 to 12/free for children younger than 2/free parking
Date: Nov. 23

A half-price admission is your ticket to all-day family fun the day after Thanksgiving at Stone Zoo in Stoneham. Avoid the crowds at the malls, bring your leftovers for a picnic, and learn about the creatures living at this amazing zoo. If you missed Boo at the Zoo this year, this is the perfect way to enjoy an animal-filled holiday celebration, even without the costumes.


Wrentham Village Premium Outlets
One Premium Outlets Blvd.
Wrentham, MA 02093
(508) 384-0600
www.premiumoutlets.comDate: Nov. 23 to 25

If day-after-Thanksgiving shopping is a must, check out Wrentham Village Premium Outlets annual After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale. Some new stores are opening just in time for the madness, and existing stores are offering incredible deals. Get a jump on the holiday shopping at this incredible three-day shop-till-you-drop extravaganza. Doors open at midnight Friday (that's Thanksgiving night, when those disinterested in the madness will most likely be asleep). Closed Thanksgiving Day.

Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village (credit: Susie Bonta/Old Sturbridge Village)

Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
(800)733-1830
www.osv.orgDate: Nov. 24 to 27

It's not Plimoth Plantation, but for those in central Massachusetts, the historic 19th-century Old Sturbridge Village revels in just as much fun and history as its significantly older counterpart. Thanksgiving weekend, bring your family to OSV for a good old-fashioned Thanksgiving, circa 1830. See historians working their wares and cooking turkeys on skewers before a roaring fire in an authentic recreation of an 1830s-style Thanksgiving. There will be activities and demonstrations including cooking on a hearth, proper table manners, a traditional Thanksgiving sermon and the famed 1830s target shoot. Menu items include the gobble-gobble itself, as well as stuffing, pies and Marlboro pudding.

Kathleen Mueller moved to Massachusetts as a toddler and has lived in many communities throughout the Bay State. Currently splitting her time between Worcester county and Cape Cod, she enjoys spending time at the beach with her dogs, reading, and taking scenic drives in New England. Kathleen is a frequent contributor to examiner.com check her out at Examiner.com.

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