PHOENIX -- Thanksgiving is a busy day, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring!
Whether you're hoping to take the family out for some parade fun or you're laying low and looking for an all-night movie marathon, there's something in the Valley for you.
We've compiled a list of 10 events from Anthem to Mesa sure to entertain you, your family and even your taste buds this Thanksgiving.
1) Arizona Road Racers Thanksgiving Day Classic
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N. 83rd Ave
Peoria
8 a.m.
Begin your Thanksgiving celebration with a great race, all while helping a great cause. If you're looking to get out of the house Thursday morning, head out to Peoria to take part in one of three free races, a 10-mile, 5K and one-mile fun run. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and the whole family is welcome to participate.
2) Anthem Turkey Trot
Anthem Community Center
41130 N.E. Freedom Way
Anthem
8:45 a.m.
Valley families are encouraged to get off the couch and join the City of Anthem as it celebrates its 7th annual Thanksgiving Day
Turkey Trot. The predominantly flat course winds through the beautiful Anthem community in the shadow of Daisy Mountain and Gavilan Peak and features a 5K run or walk and the signature 10K. There's also a free Kid's Dash for the little ones.
3) Thanksgiving Day ParadeDowntown Fountain Hills
Saguaro Blvd and El Lago Blvd
Fountain Hills
9 a.m.
The only Thanksgiving Day parade in Arizona kicks off at 9 a.m. in Fountain Hills. This year's theme is "Jingle Bells Rock the Hills," and will feature local businesses, organizations, schools, seniors, youth groups and church groups. More than 70 parade floats, groups and bands will wind their way through downtown Fountain Hills.
4) Arizona International Auto Show
Phoenix Convention Center
100 N 3rd St
Phoenix
9 a.m.
More than 400 vehicles await Valley auto lovers at the 2009 Auto Show. From 2010 models like the fuel-friendly Toyota Prius to the luxury-friendly Porsche Panamera to never-before-seen models, they're all on hand for inspection. Steve Wingenfeld, president of the Arizona Automobile Hobbyist Council, says, "You can sit in almost all of the cars and test out the new gadgets."
5) ThanksLIVINGGreen
2240 N. Scottsdale Rd Ste. 8
Tempe
12 p.m.
Vegan restaurant, Green, hosts its second annual ThanksLIVING celebration, featuring a banquet of tasty, diet-friendly fixings and musical guests. The menu features seitan turkey breast with vegan giblet gravy, sweet roasted corn and garlic mashed potatoes. Musical guests Coats and Villa, POEM, Snow Songs, and Hooves will also be on hand serenading the Thanksgiving crowd.
6) "Meet Me In St. Louis"
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
5247 E. Brown Rd
Mesa
1:15 p.m.
Mesa's Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre offers up its first performance of the classic "Meet Me In St. Louis" for a Thanksgiving matinee. Based on the beloved MGM movie, the dinner theatre's show features musical favorites like
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,
Skip to My Lou, and
The Boy Next Door. They even have a Thanksgiving-type menu, featuring turkey and gravy, honey-baked ham and sweet potatoes.
7) Texas vs. Texas A&M Viewing Party
Cadillac Ranch
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy
Tempe
4 p.m.
The third-ranked Texas Longhorns will visit their Big 12 South rival Texas A&M on Thanksgiving, and what better way to enjoy the game than with fellow sports fans? Tempe's Cadillac Ranch is hosting a viewing party sure to please college football lovers in the Valley. Proceeds from the event benefit the Phoenix Texas Exes Scholarship Fund.
8) ZooLights Opening Night
Phoenix Zoo
455 N. Galvin Pkwy
Phoenix
6 p.m.
Celebrate the first night of the Phoenix Zoo's beloved ZooLights on Thanksgiving Day! When the sun goes down and the animals go to sleep, the Zoo magically transforms into one of the largest holiday lighting events in the southwest. More than 2.5 million lights and 500 custom-made animal and nature light sculptures decorate the Zoo grounds from Thanksgiving through Christmas. In celebration of the zoo's newest residents, the Komodo dragons, the theme of this year's ZooLights is "Leapin' Lizards."
9) "Who's the Turkey Now?"
Theater 168
7117 E. McDowell Rd
Scottsdale
6 p.m.
Reservations are required for this unique turkey day event. A troupe of professional actors, comedians and stand-up comics will perform a 90-minute, family-friendly improvisational comedy show incorporating audience participation.
10) Dawn to Dusk Movie Marathon
MADCAP Theaters
730 S. Mill Ave
Tempe
7 p.m.
This 12-hour marathon film fest is perfect for Valley movie lovers, who'll get quite a helping of flicks from Thanksgiving night through Friday morning. Though the film titles are currently 'classified,' the event organizer says there will be three horror movies, two action flicks and a sexploitation film, all circa 1988 or earlier. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear pajamas, bring blankets and sleeping bags.
