How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Detroit-style

Story by Michelle Fusco | Photos by Bill Bowen

Detroiters have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.

Here’s how we celebrate a tradition-filled Thanksgiving in The D.

Work Up an Appetite

More than 20,000 runners – thousands dressed in costumes – brave cool morning temperatures to race through the streets of downtown at the annual Turkey Trot, the nation’s largest Thanksgiving morning run. It’s a fun way to rev up your metabolism before sitting down for your holiday meal.

I Love a Parade

America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White is one of the largest and most spectacular parades in the United States – a tradition that dates back to 1924. Watch colorful balloons, floats, and marching bands parade down Woodward Avenue starting at 8:50 a.m. View the live broadcast from home on WDIV Local 4.

Football Traditions

Detroit Lions football and Thanksgiving go together like mashed potatoes and gravy. The Lions take on the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field, with a 12:30 p.m. kick-off. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS.

A D-licious Feast

For many people, eating a big turkey dinner with their family is the highlight of the holiday. Many Detroiters choose Peacock’s Poultry Farm in Troy for their Thanksgiving bird. The third-generation, the family-owned business sells fresh Amish turkeys, raised without any chemicals or preservatives. Note: Closed Sundays and Mondays.

For dessert, pick up an old-fashioned pie at the acclaimed Achatz Handmade Pie Co., with six metro Detroit locations. Hint: Try the Four Berry! Sister Pie in Detroit offers nontraditional, seasonally inspired flavor combinations, such as salted maple or pumpkin chocolate chip. And for all things sweet potato, including pie, cheesecake, cookies, and cobblers, visit Sweet Potato Sensations.

Pies from Pie Mania, Sister Pie and Rock City by Bill Bowen

Dining in the 313

If cooking isn’t your thing, several metro Detroit eateries stand ready to feed your crew. Assembly Line, the all-you-can-eat buffet at MotorCity Casino, will include all the typical Thanksgiving fixings and much more. You can also check out Detroit favorites like the Caucus Club, Texas de Brazil, Seasons 52, Steve & Rocky's, Fishbone's, and more!

Black Friday

Set your alarm clocks! Plenty of day-after-Thanksgiving shopping deals are available at retailers throughout metro Detroit. You can find deals at shopping malls all across the region.

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