By Natalie Coloprisco
Thanksgiving is a week away and with it comes a mad dash to prepare for the annual flood of family in town for the feast celebrating the arrival of America’s earliest settlers.
Sometimes, the meaning of the holiday—to be thankful for what you have—gets lost in the rush to make sure the festivities are perfectly executed. So, here’s one more thing to be thankful for: the Long Islanders that organize these Thanksgiving events designed to make sure nobody forgets what the holiday is all about.
What follows is a listing of five Thanksgiving events on Long Island:
Thanksgiving Craft Workshop
Join in creating a beautiful Thanksgiving craft to share with your family during the holiday season. A portion of the class’s fees will go to Island Harvest. Crafttree, 7 Green St., Huntington. craftreeclasses.com $35. 10-11:30 a.m. Nov. 19.
2016 Annual Thanksgiving Native American Feast
This celebration held the weekend before Thanksgiving for more than 25 years includes Native American foods, spear throwing, face painting, fire making, pottery making, wigwam and much more, including the museum’s famous popcorn soup! Films about Native American culture will be shown throughout. Activities are appropriate for all ages. Activities are held both indoors and outdoors. Garvies Point Museum, 50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove. garviespointmuseum.com $5 ages 5 and above. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 19, 20.
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1863 Thanksgiving Holiday Celebration
Visitors to this re-created mid-19th Century village will be able to enjoy the sights and aromas of an old-fashioned Thanksgiving, including decorated pumpkin pies baked in a beehive oven, and turkey roasted over an open fire. In addition, each afternoon, Traditional Fiddle music will be played and children’s stories will be read. Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage. nassaucountyny.gov/parks $10 adults, $7 kids are 5 to 12, seniors and volunteer firefighters. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 19, 20, 26 and 27.
Who Took Tom The Turkey?
Everyone is a suspect in the case of the kidnapping most foul. An annual holiday musical sure to delight to children of all ages. BayWay Arts Center, 265 East Main St., East Islip. broadhollow.org $11. 1 p.m. Nov. 23, 25.
Thanksgiving Day-After Beach to Breach Hike
Make the most of your holiday weekend. Walk off those Thanksgiving calories while exploring Fire Island’s dynamic shore. Fire Island National Seashore Wilderness Visitor Center, County Road 46, Shirley. nps.gov Free. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Nov. 25.
