The Dayton area knows how to celebrate the holiday started in 1621 when Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest meal.
Thoughts are already turning to pumpkin and sweet potato pies.
<<MORE: BEST PIES IN DAYTON
<< MORE: 7 DAYTON HOLIDAY TRADITIONS WE CAN'T WAIT FOR
Dayton has events galore to celebrate Thanksgiving and usher in Christmas.
Here are some new and much long-beloved ones to add to your calendar:
ANNUAL WAFFLE SHOP AT CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
When: Nov. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 14 to 17
Where: Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton,
What: Get ready for four days of waffles, sausage, soups, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, crafts, and white elephant sales.
As many as 2,000 people attend this event that has been around for 88 years. Waffle Shop profits are offered to the community through grants awarded every spring.
Cost: $ lunch for less than $10. Admission is free.
More info: Dine in or fax for carryout at 937-223-2416
When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Nov. 19
Where: Downtown Springboro
What: Who says you have to wait until Thanksgiving to celebrate Christmas. The Christmas in Springboro attracts more than 70,000 people for a parade, and walk, holiday shopping, grub, camel and horse carriage rides, a visit from Santa and music.
Cost: Admission is free.
More info: Visit Christmas in Springboro's Facebook page or springborofestivals.org
When: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18
Where: Carillon Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton
What: The annual gala rings in the holiday season with specialty cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction and the Most Delicious Dessert contest.
Cost: $85 for non-members and $75 for members.
More info: Call 937-293-2841 or visit daytonhistory.org
The Carillon Tree of Light illumination is set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29.
When: Nov. 28 to 29. Shows start at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton
WHAT: Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas ghost stage comes to life.
Cost: Tickets start at $30
More info: Call 937-228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com
Credit: Jennifer Taylor
Credit: Jennifer Taylor
When: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 24.
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Where: Dayton Art Institute's Renaissance Auditorium, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton
What: Nearly 30 Dayton-area musicians are gearing up to recreate The Band's legendary concert "The Last Waltz" to benefit 91.3 WYSO Public Radio and the Dayton Art Institute.
Cost: $25/ticket, or $30 for the premium seating in the first 10 rows. A special 6 p.m. VIP reception for the Friday event is $50 extra and includes music, heavy hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary drink.
<< MORE: WHY YOU CAN'T MISS THE LAST WALTZ
Credit: Staff photo by Nick Graham
Credit: Staff photo by Nick Graham
When: The race starts at 8:30 a.m. Thanksgiving day, Nov. 23.
Where: It begins at Main Street and Linden Avenue in Miamisburg.
Online registration ends Nov. 17. Click here.
What: The 39th annual race is organized by the Ohio River Road Runners Club and the city of Miamisburg. An expo will be held 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 at Riverfront Park, 3 N. Miami Ave.
Cost: $30 for five mile race before Nov. 10. The price is $35 Nov. 11 to 17. The cost is $5 less for those younger than 15.
The fee is $20 before Nov. 10 for the mile event and $25 from Nov. 11 to 17 and on expo day.
More info: visit orrrc.org/orrrc-turkey-trot/
Credit: Staff photo by Darin Pope
Credit: Staff photo by Darin Pope
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23.
Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. 5th St., Dayton
What: The 9th annual community Thanksgiving dinner organized partly by ABC22/FOX45 and an army of volunteers follows the 40-year tradition established by the Beerman Foundation.
Cost: Free
More info: Call 937-416-3667 or visit daytonconventioncenter.com
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24
The ice rink is open daily through Feb. 28.
Where: RiverScape MetroPark Ice Rink, 111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton
What: Hot chocolate from the food concession and warm outdoor fireplaces.
Cost: $7
More info: Call 937-274-0126 or metroparks.org.
Posted by The Rubi Girls on Wednesday, June 7, 2017
When: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25
Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 1043 S. Main St., Dayton
What: The Rubi Girls comedy drag troupe presents its annual uproarious Thanksgiving weekend show. Admission is restricted to those 21 and older with proper identification.
Cost: VIP tickets are sold out. General admission is $25.
More info: Visit the Rubi Girls Facebook page or gonps.com/rubi-girls/
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24.
Where: Courthouse Square in downtown Dayton
What: The 44th annual holiday event includes the Grande Illumination tree lighting, Dayton Children's Parade Spectacular in Lights and live entertainment.
Cost: Free.
More info: Call 937-224-1518 or visit downtowndayton.org.
When: The race starts at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26.
Where: Welcome Stadium, 1601 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton.
What: The annual event features a half-marathon, 5K and kids' dash.
Cost: Registration is $69.99 for the marathon and $36.99 for the half marathon for the first 250 runners in each race until Nov. 8.
Registration is $85 and $50 respectively after that date.
Kids' dash registration is free.
More info: Visit www.daytonturkeytrot.com.
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