More Than Turkey – What To Do Thanksgiving Week On Martha’s Vineyard

It’s finally here – Thanksgiving!  The holiday season is in full swing on Martha’s Vineyard. While many people have visions of drumsticks and pecan pie on the mind, there’s lots more to do before and after Thanksgiving is over.

Guilt Free Thanksgiving Dinner

How can that be? Well you can start your day with a 5k — the 5K “Turkey Trot” Road Race. Now doesn’t that sound like a nice way to began a day of feasting? Laugh, but I think that I might try to do this race. I’ll be walking of course since that’s about all I can handle these days.

Registration is at 7:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning at the Oak Bluffs Police Station. It’s $10 to enter and the money goes to the fuel assistance for the Island’s elderly. A good cause and a good work out. Then you can indulge guilt free the rest of the day!

This concept is very appealing to me since I am having dinner at the Harbor View Hotel, and I plan to enjoy myself with my family thoroughly.

Shopping!

Black Friday on Martha’s Vineyard is a blast! There are some great deals in a number of your favorite shops! I think Vineyard Haven is my favorite town for Black Friday shopping.

The first stop on my list is Rainy Day, and then the Green Room, and the CB Stark (a girl needs a wish list for the hubby), but it’s not just Vineyard Haven that’s great for shopping. Oak Bluffs and Edagrtown are packed full of great stores with deals too.

Don’t forget about about the 17th annual Thanksgiving Day Festival at the Ag Hall in West Tisbury. This is the biggest Vineyard Artisans event of the year. It’s seriously one stop MV shopping.  From food gifts to jewelry to butcher blocks to soap to, well you get the picture. It’s all here to shop on Friday and Saturday.

Be sure to save some energy for shopping on Saturday– especially since it’s Small Business Saturday. This shop small day created by American Express, is a financial boost for so many small businesses, and we love our local shops!

For the Kids

Are the kids shopped out or you need something for Dad to do with them while you shop? Perhaps the Fall Festival at Felix Neck on Friday is a good option.

From 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Felix neck has all sorts of fun things for the whole family. There will be face-painting, hayrides, wreath making, music by the Flying Elbows and more.

Returning this year is Marla Isaac of New England Reptile and Raptors. She’ll have a number of prey birds with her including osprey and a number of owls.

When I am here for the holiday, the Fall Festival is one of my favorite things to do. It will be chilly so bundle up. Afterwards, head someplace fun for lunch like the Newes or The Wharf or Offshore Ale. I feel like these are nice places to go after a outing in the cold.

Saturday is the last day of the year for Wee Farmers at the FARM Institute. If you have little ones from two to four, then they’ll love this. Collect eggs from the chickens, see baby farm animals, and more. Rumor has it that there may be wagon rides offered for this last day.  t’s $15 per child.

Music for the Soul

The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society’s Thanksgiving Concert is happening on Saturday night. This annual Fall concert is at the Whaling Church, starting at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $20. A concert and then cocktails and dinner — sounds like a great way to spend the night.

Remember, there are a number of restaurants still open in Edagrtown, but L’etoile is closing Sunday night. So you might want to get your Startini fix one more time until the Summer.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be on Martha’s Vineyard for Thanksgiving! When I was wondering what to do with my family who is coming here for the holiday, I was getting a little nervous.

However, after writing this, I have a game plan. I’m also going to sprinkle in a couple holiday movies and football in the mix too. After all, the Friday after Thanksgiving is my official kickoff to the Christmas holiday.

Thanks for reading On Point.  Whatever you do, whether here or off-Island, I am wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Please don’t forget to  “Like” us on Facebook, on follow us on TwitterLinked InGoogle+Pinterest and YouTube.

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