Religious
For the Thanksgiving holiday, families traditionally celebrate by gathering for a day of family dinner. Although my family celebrates Thanksgiving in this same traditional way, instead of gathering at home, we meet at church.
Back home on St. Helena Island, S.C., I am a member of Bethesda Christian Fellowship. On Thanksgiving Day, we have a special service that starts at 11:00 am. Ebenezer Baptist Church, which is located across the street from Bethesda, joins in on the celebration each year. The joining of the churches adds great cheer and merriment among the congregations.
During the service, there is usually a devotional portion, scripture reading, a prayer, songs rendered by the choir and a sermon. Afterward, there is a Thanksgiving dinner in our fellowship hall.
Everyone from the community and surrounding areas are welcome to the dinner.
Thanksgiving is a time to be with our loved ones to celebrate what we are thankful for. I am thankful for my church home, a place of spiritual fulfillment, devotion, and not to mention, great food.
Traditional
The Thanksgiving season means great food, competitive football games on NBC and humorous conversations among relatives. Our family celebrates the holiday with the traditional Thanksgiving meal consisting of soul food favorites such as turkey, dressing, cornbread, collard greens and yams.
We take advantage of sleeping in for the day, and then get together in the evening for dinner and socializing. The topping to the day is the NFL Dallas Cowboy game because we are huge fans.
Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for the things we were blessed with, and this year I am looking forward to my first Thanksgiving home from college and the added treat of the Beyonce holiday special airing on CBS.
Exciting
Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for your blessings, spend time with family and friends, feast over the year’s harvest and, in my case, enjoy an HBCU’s homecoming festivities.
Every year during the week of Thanksgiving, in my hometown of Montgomery, Ala., Alabama State University celebrates their homecoming with numerous entertaining events. The week launches off with a hilarious knee slapping comedy show, followed by an uplifting gospel fest, a block party and a lively homecoming concert. The Hornet’s homecoming ends with a parade and the annual Turkey Day Classic football game, where the ASU Hornets face off against the Tuskegee University Tigers.
The parade and game are the events that I look forward to attending on Thanksgiving. The turkey day classic parade includes marching bands from colleges and high schools from surrounding areas as well as local officials, community organizations and various social clubs.
After the parade, my family and I attend the widely anticipated football game. While walking to the stadium it is hard not to notice the many vendors that are lined up outside. I am always sure to find a cute pair of earrings or authentic African skin care products at one of the booths. Once I get in the game, I am immediately reunited with friends from high school and I get to experience the ancient old rivalry between ASU and Tuskegee football fans.
After the game my family and I head home to eat a wonderful Thanksgiving feast and reminisce on the good times of the holiday.