A Thanksgiving recipe for fun: FTF's A-Z guide to local events marking the settlers' gratitude, from traditional eats to marathons.

Thanksgiving, the quintessential American holiday, was first celebrated in 1621 by the pilgrim settlers to show thanks for the bountiful harvest that would see them through the long winter.  Throughout the years, we have continued the tradition by enjoying feasts with family and friends, and in these difficult times we especially look forward to acknowledging our gifts and connecting with those who sustain us.

Who needs worry about fresh Thanksgiving recipes when there are so many fun activities outside? Here is a glimpse of some celebrations (throughout the United States.

Alabama Thanksgiving Events

In an effort to share their rich culture, the Poarch Creek Indians welcome you to their Thanksgiving Intertribal Powwow in Atmore, Alabama on two dates in late November .  Festivities include native dance competitions and performances, and a Princess crowning contest in which three "ambassadors" of different ages are selected to represent the tribe at other powwows, cultural events and school presentations.  For more information, call 800/ALABAMA or visit the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel.

Arkansas Thanksgiving Events

Enjoy a family Thanksgiving buffet, holiday crafts, traditional music and dancing and a gospel concert at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas over Thanksgiving weekend.  Traditional artisans demonstrate crafts such as blacksmithing, dollmaking, gunsmithing, musical instrument making and woodcarving.  Call 870/269-3851 or visit The Ozark Folk Center for schedule of events. 

California Thanksgiving Events

An American Indian celebration of dance, music, arts and food will take place near Palm Springs at the Indo Powwow of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians over Thanksgiving. This semi-annual three-day event hosts tribes from throughout the US and Canada who perform in full ceremonial dress.  In addition to dancing and singing competitions, guests can sample Native American foods and purchase jewelry, weavings, dream catchers and other craft items.  Call 800/827-2946 or visit Fantasy Springs Resort.com for a schedule of events.

A multi-holiday event, starting on Thanksgiving night and continuing until early January takes place in San Diego. The Holiday of Lights is a drive-though exhibit featuring 400 lighted and animated themed displays. The family-fun themes range from Toyland to Elves at Play to the Twelve Days of Christmas and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own car.  The Holiday Hayride is back and the The Holiday of Lights website has more information on times, tickets and this exciting tradition.

Illinois Thanksgiving Events

Home to the annual Turkey Trot, Chicago is alive with the spirit of Thanksgiving and charity. About 5,000 runners join this eight-kilometer race to help collect food for the less fortunate. In years past, the Turkey Trot has collected 10,000 pounds of food! The winners of the race get prizes and kids can take part in their own race, the Plymouth Rock Ramble. Visit Turkey Trot for information on this great cause. 

Massachusetts Thanksgiving Events

Old Sturbridge Village is open on Thanksgiving Weekend and will feature a variety of demonstrations, performances, and hands-on activities. To mark this special fall holiday in New England, Old Sturbridge Village re-creates various activities from an early New England Thanksgiving Day, including cooking at the hearth, demonstrations of 19th-century table manners, a Thanksgiving sermon, and after-dinner entertainment. Visitors can see how a Thanksgiving dinner was prepared in the 1830s and enjoy storytelling, games, tours, and musical performances.  Call them at 800/733-1830 or visit Old Sturbridge Village site.

You are invited to visit "America's Home Town" in Plymouth, Massachusetts the weekend before Thanksgiving for the community's Thanksgiving activities.  This is, after all, where it all began, and visitors make pilgrimages to see the site of the First Thanksgiving with their own eyes.  The centerpiece of Plymouth's international celebration is a good old-fashioned parade, while visitors can also sample chowder and other local dishes at the New England Food Festival in a heated tent, hang out with crafters and historical re-enactors on the waterfront, or watch Coast Guard auxiliary vessel demonstrations.  For more information on the events and area accommodations call 508/746-1818 or visit USA Thanksgiving.com

Michigan Thanksgiving Events

Detroit leads the state with America's Thanksgiving Parade, a tradition that's more than 80 years old with a new theme each season. In the past, a number of automaker sponsored floats and stars -- such as Jessica Simpson aboard Marshall Fields' birthday cake float -- have marched to Grand Circus Park. Call 313/923-7400 or go to The Parade.org for more information. 

New York Thanksgiving Events

It's time for turkeys, football and the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Combining animation, artistry and technical know-how, there are abundant balloons (running the gamut from Pokeman's Pikachu to classics like Freida the Dachshund, and several floats and "falloons," which are combination float/balloons. SpongeBob, Big Bird, Barney and many others will also make their yearly appearance, in addition to musical guests, marching bands, celebrities, and Broadway shows. A tradition since 1924 (with no change in sponsorship), the parade kicks off at 77th Street and Central Park West, travels through Columbus Circle, and heads down Broadway to 34th Street and the famous Macy's storefront.  Check out NYC Tourism: Macy's Parade for information.

Enjoy a great Thanksgiving dinner, but try to leave some room for the annual post-Thanksgiving tour "The Original Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour" sponsored by Big Onion Walking Tours(888/606-9255) on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Meet at at the corner of Essex and Delancey Streets on the Lower East Side for a tour of the tasty treats available from this melting pot of a neighborhood, including Chinese dim sum, Italian mozzarella and Jewish bialys. Reservations are requested and maybe you should consider stopping first for a package of Alka Seltzer!

Pennsylvania Thanksgiving Events

Philadelphia, the birthplace of America, is also the original home of the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Philly's parade typically begins at 20th and Market Streets and proceeds to City Hall, then on to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  It continues to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art where it concludes at noon. Additionally, Disney characters, elaborate floats and balloons will entertain the crowds. Parade-goers can also participate in the area Boy Scouts Annual Food Drive by bringing cans of food to be collected at the event.  The food will be given to the Greater Philadelphia, Delaware and South Jersey Food Banks and usually collects over 2.5 million items each year. See Visit Philadelphia for more information on holiday events.

Texas Thanksgiving Events

The Lone Star state's November star is Houston, where the H-E-B Holiday Parade will be roaring south on Milam while 400,000 spectators line the route.  Houston's Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1949 with the arrival of Santa at Union Station. Fantastic floats, hot air balloons, marching bands, cheerleaders, and costumed characters will entertain spectators. For more information, call 713/654-8808 or visit Houston's HEB Parade.com.

Vermont Thanksgiving Events

In New England, Thanksgiving was based on farming, family and religion and it recalled the feast that the Pilgrims and their Wampanoag neighbors enjoyed following suffering and famine.  The The Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, Vermont -- a working dairy farm and living museum ca. 1890's --becomes a flurry of activity for the holiday.  Visit the farm manager's family living quarters, farm office, creamery and ice house, then tour the horse barn, milk room, sheep pen and calf nursery, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride.  There are plenty of activities for families of all ages. Call 802/457-2355 or visit Billings Farm.org for details.

Virginia Thanksgiving Events

Virginia lays claim to hosting the very first Thanksgiving in the nation's history, at Berkeley on December 4, 1619 (it was President Lincoln who declared that it should be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.) Here's what Williamsburg has planned to celebrate this holiday: James River Plantations in Berkeley celebrates with a first landing reenactment, Native American dancers and an appropriate feast in early November.  Over Thanksgiving weekend, "The Foods and Feasts of Colonial Virginia" will be presented at Jamestown Settlement and at the Yorktown Victory Center, a museum of the American Revolution. For more information on this festival, visit History is Fun, call 800/VISIT VA or check out the Virginia Tourist Office site.

Washington Thanksgiving Events

Finally but not least in our eyes, you can run off all those extra holiday calories by entering the Seattle Marathon held Thanksgiving weekend. The course begins and ends at the Seattle Center with scenic views of the city and Lake Washington and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.  You can walk or run in either the full or half marathon, and even the kids can participate in their own event. Call 206/729-3660 or visit Seattle Marathon.org for more information.