Our Bucket List for Thanksgiving Weekend
Dillon, Reed, and Elliott Harris enjoy Avalon’s Festive Friday.
’Tis the most wonderful time of the year and one of my favorite weekends on the island!
Thanksgiving weekend in Avalon and Stone Harbor is a tradition that has grown from one small parade to two boroughs on one island joining together for a full weekend of family-fun celebrations. From character meet-and-greets, to face painting, crafts, live music, visits with Santa, shopping local and more, this is definitely a must-do weekend for all. So, for those who are better with paraphrasing, here is a must-do bucket list of the highlights of the weekend.
#1. Tradition
As I’ve mentioned, this weekend has become a great tradition for large families to enjoy because there is definitely something for every age and interest. Whether Aunt Mary needs to hit the stores for holiday shopping, little Cece must stop by the Frozen Spectacular, and everyone needs their photos with Santa for the holiday cards, this island has it! Start with the tradition of turkey and gravy, and bring everyone together at your island home (or rental) and enjoy a meal made for kings. And start the planning, because this weekend is full of family-fun events and scheduling is a must!
#2. Trot
And then burn those turkey calories with a casual 5K run and 1.5-Mile Fun Walk through Avalon. You binged last night on that pumpkin pie, and perhaps you need to sweat off that extra glass of chardonnay, and this event is here to start your weekend right! The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children hosts this annual Turkey Trot that is open for all ages! Winners will be announced for the top three finishers overall plus the top three in each age group. And dress your best for a chance to win the costume contest! All proceeds from this event go to the Diller Home, so it’s a great start to the day for a great cause. Registration is available the day of, or online by going to dillerblindhome.org.
#3. Hunt
No, not that way … scavenger hunt! This island once had a notorious turkey, but we don’t recommend searching for him as a game. Instead, join in on Stone Harbor’s Scavenger Hunt all day Friday and Saturday. Entrants can check in at “Pine Tree” Harbor (95th Street Water Tower Plaza) for instructions. Spend the day searching for clues. Return with your photo of the final clue and receive a gift, plus be entered into the grand prize drawing!
#4. Strike a Pose
Gone are the days of holiday card stress. Avalon and Stone Harbor conveniently provide families with a variety of photo opportunities that are perfect for the front of the 2019 family holiday card. Whether you pose in a lifeguard boat, in front of the Christmas tree, or even better, with Santa Claus himself, nothing says Ho-Ho-Holidays more than your family smiling and enjoying our island celebrations!
#5. Plan
Get your schedules and your Sharpies, because Festive Friday in Avalon features more than 40 activities throughout town! Sing along to live music with The Corner Boys & Co. holiday show or one of many live character performances, bounce in and out of a bounce house, get your face painted, pick up some balloon art, meet some of your favorite characters, and parents fear not, shop local and enjoy some refreshments along the way to keep you going. From crafting to live performances, Avalon is bursting with festive activities for all ages to enjoy. Just plan it out first, so you don’t miss a thing! A full schedule of activities can be found on visitavalonnj.com.
#6. Bid
How could we forget the annual Festival of Trees at The Whitebrier in Avalon. Local businesses throughout the island donate beautifully decorated trees and wreaths for silent auction. Themes range from vintage Christmas, to “Seas and Greetings” and more. Bid on your favorite during a number of times including the kickoff to the holiday weekend on Wednesday from 5-9pm, Friday from noon-8pm and, new this year, an additional day to bid on Saturday from 11am-2pm! Winners will be notified via phone and have until 4pm on Saturday to pay for and pick up their beautiful tree. For a full list of participating businesses, go to visitavalonnj.com.
#7. Dash
Ready, set, dash! Saturday begins a whole new day of celebrations on the island including Stone Harbor’s Downtown Holiday Dash. This fun run along 96th Street is led by Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour and is open for ages 6 and up! Participants are encouraged to wear their silliest and most creative North Pole costumes to be considered for an award. The entry fee for this event is a new unwrapped toy or gift card for Toys for Tots. Ready, set, go!
#8. Snow
This island calls for a 100% chance of snow! On Friday, join in with Stone Harbor merchants to light the Holiday Tree on 96th Street at 6pm and this town is guaranteeing a 100% chance of snow. Follow up the lighting with a stroll through the town’s businesses for Hospitality Night as stores offer music, sweet treats and refreshments. On Saturday, be sure to head over to Avalon for Snowfest Saturday. From 11am to 4pm, the family can enjoy carnival rides, bounce houses, obstacle courses AND, as mentioned before – family photos with Santa Claus himself! For a full list of Snowfest Saturday activities, go to avalonboro.net.
#9. Shop
Between face painting, tree lightings, Santa photos and more, adults must not forget to Shop Local this weekend. Island stores and boutiques are open with winter fashions and spring previews perfect for completing holiday wish lists. From clothing and shoes to accessories and home décor, these towns have it all, and they are open and ready to help you complete your holiday shopping needs before December even hits! Shop small and shop local, it’s important to these great stores that deck our island for the holiday weekend.
#10. Parade
Stone Harbor’s annual Holiday Parade turns this island into a modern-day Norman Rockwell painting with family and friends gathering around the Stone Harbor Christmas Tree and waving to our local firefighters and volunteer organizations. Cheer on ’Scute the Tute Terrapin and his friends from The Wetlands Institute, wave on the town’s fire and rescue squads, and wait in anticipation for Santa’s arrival via sleigh at the end of this amazing parade. Wave, cheer and enjoy; small-town holiday traditions are anything but small when it comes time to enjoy this amazing spectacle of holiday cheer.
The turkey has been trimmed, Elsa has been greeted, faces are painted, wish lists have been passed to Santa, and shopping has been accomplished. This whirlwind of a weekend is coming to a close and we hope it could not have been any better for you and your family. For us, we’re plum exhausted and we’re going to heat up some turkey leftovers and relax with some Hallmark holiday movies on the couch.
Cheers to the holidays and to all our visiting friends and families. You are the reason these towns work so hard to create these amazing events over the holiday weekend. Bring your families, enjoy our shops, eat in our restaurants and once again, take photos throughout so that this year’s holiday card is absolutely priceless. Happy holidays to all! Don’t mind us as we take a nap now.
