Thanksgiving is a very special holiday for my family and many others in Kentucky. Below you will find information for an event that helps spread awareness of the true meaning of Thanksgiving by celebrating the foods that make this holiday so special! There is no better time to become more involved in the Lexington community than this special time of year!
As a man from Eastern Kentucky, I can accurately say that animals such as turkey are very important to the Appalachian region. Yet a Thanksgiving meal needs many vegetables to be complete. In Eastern Kentucky, these foods are gathered through farming, hunting, and fishing. According to Lundy (2016: 296), “The value of being able to produce our own food is something I believe Appalachians really want to hang on to.” In the event shown below the Appalachian values regarding hunting and farming will be celebrated in Lexington, Kentucky. While living in cities, we are detached from the production of foods of all sorts. Grocery markets and restaurants are all readily available to purchase food from. According to Herman (2019: 297), “Everyone goes for what is easiest, people are buying more processed foods. It is something that is ending.” This quote is discussing how regional dishes that take much time to prepare are becoming rarer. This event will celebrate those regional dishes of Kentucky that make this land so special!
Why celebrate Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is known as the holiday to reflect and be thankful. According to Santino (1994: 13), “Different holidays focus on different components – Thanksgiving has the meal as its center.” This is the perfect holiday to celebrate the food that makes Kentucky so special. According to Jones (1988: 236), “A type of food, the presence of food, or the preparation of food by someone may symbolize care, concern, and contentment.” The foods of this holiday are very special and reflect the care and contentment of the people who prepare the meals and originally collect the food. Celebrating Thanksgiving will allow the Lexington community to say thanks to the farmers that allow our community to eat fresh produce and meats.
Thankful for Turkey Festival on November 20th
On November 20th, the celebration of Thanksgiving, community, and thankfulness will commence. To learn the history of Thanksgiving and the symbolism behind the Thanksgiving foods you love attend the Thankful for history booth between 4:00 and 7:00 pm. There will be live entertainment and music throughout the event. The great Turkey cook-off will be occurring from 5:00-9:00 pm so make sure to see who becomes the annual Turkey Chef!
- Thankful for history (4:00 – 7:00 pm)
- A Thanks to the Farmers Market (4:00 – 9:00 pm)
- Live music and Entertainment (4:00 – 10:00 pm)
- The Great Turkey Cook-Off (5:00 – 9:00 pm)
Thankful for History
On November 20th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm be sure to stop by and learn the meaning behind Thanksgiving and the symbolism behind foods you love. How the foods are collected and raised will be discussed to spread awareness of environmental degradation and the importance of taking care of the land around us. According to Santino (1994: 14) ” Each of these components is symbolic; that is, each has a meaning greater than itself. A turkey dinner on Thanksgiving is more than just another dinner, we do not eat it simply because we are hungry.” The true history of this American holiday will be taught during this demonstration. This includes a lecture that details the dishonorable treatment of the Native American peoples that helped the Pilgrims have a bountiful harvest to begin this holiday.
A Thanks to the Farmers
On November 20th from 4:00 to 9:00 pm, the farmers of Kentucky will be thanked through an open farmers market. All farmers are welcome, but spaces are limited. Come to collect fresh produce and meats directly from the sources that raise them! Be vocal and give these amazing farmers thanks for being part of the Kentucky community and allowing us all to eat well.
Live music and Entertainment
On November 20th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm live entertainment and music will fill the streets of Lexington to celebrate Thanksgiving in a different way. If you have a family member busy competing in the cook-off make sure you have fun listening to local artists at our venue.
The Great Turkey Cook Off
On November 20th at 5:00 pm you and your families better prepare to leave it all in the kitchen! In this event, you will be able to showcase who is the best cook in Kentucky by facing off against some of Appalachia’s finest chefs. Families and chefs from all regions of Kentucky are welcome to attend and face-off! The winner will be named the Turkey Chef of 2021! Each chef will need to prepare one turkey and two sides in a three-hour period. All spare ingredients and turkeys will be donated to the homeless shelter.
Rules:
- There will be no pre-seasoning or pre-cooking of the bird at any time
- All ingredients must be listed for allergy purposes.
- The ingredients used cannot exceed a total cost of 50 dollars.
- Once the ingredients and meat have been inspected they cannot lead the contest area for any reason.
- Contestants cannot leave the contest area until their turkeys are done.
- Contestants that intend to cook must arrive at 4:30 pm to go over rules and regulations
Sources:
Jones, Michael Owen. 1988. “Afterword: Discovering the Symbolism of Food Customs and Events.” We Gather Together: Food and Festivals in American Life, Theodore and Lin C. Humphrey, eds., 235-245. Ann Arbor, MI: U. of Michigan Press.
Santino, Jack. 1994. “Introduction,” “Holidays in America: Ritual, Festival, and Celebration,” and “Homemade Holidays: Making Symbols, Making Meaning.” All Around the Year, xiii-46. Urbana, IL: U. of Illinois Press.
Herman, Bernard L.. 2019. A South You Never Ate. Chapel Hill, NC: U. of North Carolina Press.
Lundy, Ronni. 2016. Victuals: An Appalachian Journey with Recipes. New York: Clarkson Potter.
