A Turkey Trot and Holiday Parade Deliver Local Cheer for Thanksgiving Weekend

Around Town

By Steven Sanchez

Published 7 months ago on

November 27, 2024

Clovis Turkey Day Run is one of many fun events taking place in the Central Valley for Thanksgiving weekend. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Clovis Turkey Day Run offers a 5k run/walk, two-mile walk, and virtual run with festive amenities on Thanksgiving.
Darren Carter, known as "The Party Starter," brings his high-energy comedy to DiCicco's in Old Town Clovis on Black Friday.
The Pines Resort hosts the 33rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights, featuring floats, Santa, and an arts & craft fair.

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Steven Sanchez

Entertainment

Here are the top local events for Thanksgiving weekend.

Check out our expanded list of events at this link.

Clovis Turkey Day Run

Before you cut the turkey, come out to the Clovis Turkey Day Run in Old Town Clovis at the Centennial Plaza on Thursday. It’s the second event in the Classic Holiday Run Series and a 30-point race in the Classic Runner of the Year Series.

You can participate in the 5k run/walk, two-mile walk, and a virtual run. The event has three charity partners that include the Central Valley Blue Star Moms, Clovis Senior Center, and Central California Food Bank.

They’ll be giving out a long sleeve Thanksgiving shirt, a finisher’s medallion to all participants, hot chocolate & coffee, donuts, age group awards with overall cash prize. Including a costume contest, and a gobble & strut contest.

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Darren Carter

Celebrate Black Friday with comedian Darren Carter performing at DiCicco’s in Old Town Clovis on Friday. Known as “The Party Starter,” he was born in Fresno.

Carter established his brand of comedy through high-energy performances, infectious laughter, and his ability to connect with audiences. His impersonations are spot-on. The imitation he does of Snoop Dogg is extremely hilarious because of the accuracy.

He’s appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and “Comedy Central Presents.” He’s acted in a number of films and TV shows including “Be Cool,” “Who Made the Potatoe Salad?” and “Love Chronicles.”

Get your tickets here.

Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights

Get whisked away to a winter wonderland at The Pines Resort in Bass Lake for 33rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights on Saturday.

In the middle of the parking lot and the adjacent Pines Village Park you can enjoy the float parade that’ll include decorations, inflatable displays, and lights set to the tune of holiday classics. You can take pictures with Santa Claus including “Letters to Santa” for a cheerful giveaway. There’ll be a holiday fundraiser where the proceeds go to the Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation.

Santa’s workshop will be nestled in the conference center for an arts and craft fair. Nearly 30 local vendors and artists will offer an assortment of items: jewelry, wooden toys, furniture, decor, fine photography, stained glass, windchimes, and more. It’s a free event.

For more information click here.

Fresno Aids Walk

Give thanks to HIV/AIDS survivors by participating in the 13th Annual Fresno AIDS Walk at Woodward Park on Sunday.

The fundraising event pays homage to those affected by the virus and remembrance for those that have been lost. All proceeds will benefit Fresno’s longest-running HIV/AIDS social support center: The Living Room, a project of WestCare California.

You have the option of doing the 5k run or the 2k walk. There’ll be drag performances, local vendors, and raffle prizes.

Get your tickets here.