USA Thanksgiving 2017

201 7
N1O7V, E18M, B19ER
Thanksgiving Celebration

The Weekend Before Thanksgiving
P LY M O U T H

PUPBLLYICMTORNUATONHVSEPOMONRBSTEAARTT1UI8ORNDATYO
PA R A D E H F E S T I VA L S H C O N C E RT S

www.plymrock.org www.usathanksgiving.com

TO PRESERVE AND PROPAGATE THE PILGRIM STORY

Thanksgiving Celebration www.usathanksgiving.com

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ON BEHALF of America’s Hometown Thanksgiving BOARD OF DIRECTORS Voted
Committee, I welcome you to America’s hometown
of Plymouth, Massachusetts, home of the first Thanksgiving. Barbara Bobblis Paul Jehle TOP 100 EVENT

2017 marks the 22nd year of the Thanksgiving Celebration. Michael Brophy Brian McWilliams IN
NORTH AMERICA
We are so grateful to the many dedicated volunteers and Olly deMacedo Ed Santos
sponsors who have worked diligently for so many years to WITH
create an event that is beloved both locally and nationally. The Peter Fantoni Jeff Tonello
excitement is building to the 400th anniversary of the landing Donna Green AMERICAN BUS
of the Pilgrims, just 3 years away in 2020! ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
This year we will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Olly deMacedo, Boston Sand FOR 2012, 2014, 2015,
World War I. Although there are no veterans from this war and Gravel 2016 & 2017
still alive, we will honor their service in the historic combat in
the skies of Europe. Look for the new float featuring a bi- OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
plane dog fight in the parade. We will also celebrate the 150th anniversary of the transfer of Alaska to the Sharon Liddell
United States. A special float commemorating our 49th state will be featured in the parade.
OPERATIONS
Although we are extremely proud of the Grand Parade which will float down the street on Saturday, the Marilyn Belyea
weekend events provide so many more opportunities to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Plymouth.
After the parade on Saturday, the Food Festival, Wampanoag Pavilion and Portal to the Past are events DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
not to be missed. Saturday night is the Alumni Senior Drum & Bugle Corps concert. Come back to the Debra Gallo, Debra Gallo and Associates, Inc.
waterfront on Sunday for the Harvest Market, a more laid back experience where you can purchase SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR
goods for your Thanksgiving feast, enjoy live music and witness a cooking demonstration by local chefs. Sue Wentworth, Event Solutions

I hope that you enjoy your stay in Plymouth. It truly is a time to pause and give thanks for the blessings RISK ASSESSMENT
we enjoy year round! Michael McCourt, MGM Associates

OLLY DEMACEDO, Executive Director DIRECTOR OF SECURITY
John Sjosted
AMERICA’S HOMETOWN THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION
DIRECTOR OF WATERFRONT LOGISTICS
A special thank you Jeff Tonello
WATERFRONT LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
to our many volunteers. There are far too many of you to name. Tim Liddell, Liddell Brothers
We could not have done this without your support and tireless efforts.
WATERFRONT LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
Thank you FROM THE AHTC COMMITTEE AND PERMITTING LIAISON
Laura Tonello
501(c)3
PUBLISHED BY: AMERICA’S HOMETOWN THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION HISTORICAL COORDINATOR
10 CORDAGE PARK CIRCLE, SUITE 230 • PLYMOUTH, MA 02360 • 508.746.1818 Dr. Paul Jehle

WATD VIP CHAIRPERSONS & COORDINATORS
WPLM Louise Houston, Brenda Houlihan, Janelle Shaughnessy,
PACTV and Joyce Gubata
WQRC 99.9
Cape Country 104 CO-DIRECTORS OF PARADE PRODUCTION
Ocean 104.7 Cheryl Birch & Dave Axburg

EQUESTRIAN COORDINATOR
Christine Burelli, Double B Ranch

DRUM CORPS DIRECTOR
Barbara DiRusso

NEW ENGLAND FOOD FESTIVAL CHAIRPERSON
Julie Brewster, Event Planners of Plymouth

CO-DIRECTORS OF MILITARY CONTINGENT
John Corcoran & Bob Graser

HISTORIC VILLAGE COORDINATOR
Stan Wollman

HARVEST MARKET COORDINATOR
Dave Purpura, Plymouth Farmers Market

PARADE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Colleen Axberg

PARADE PARTICIPANT COORDINATOR
Diana Scolponeti

NOVEMBER

17, 18, 19

Thanksgiving Celebration
201 7HH The Weekend Before Thanksgiving
HH

FRIDAY, NOV. 17 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SATURDAY, NOV. 18
n VIP RECEPTION INVITATION ONLY
SUNDAY, NOV. 19 n FREE FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT • Memorial Hall • 7pm • Doors open at 6pm

United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps

n OPENING CEREMONIES • 10:30am
n THANKSGIVING PARADE • 11am
n WATERFRONT ACTIVITIES • 10:30am-4pm
n NEW ENGLAND FOOD FESTIVAL • 11am-4pm
n PORTAL TO THE PAST HISTORICAL VILLAGE • 10am-4pm
n WAMPANOAG EDUCATIONAL PAVILION

SPONSORED BY MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
11am-4pm

n ILLUMINATE PRESENTED BY PLYMOUTH 400
New Town Hall • 4pm

n THE NATIONAL SENIOR & ALUMNI DRUM &
BUGLE CORPS REUNION CONCERT • 6:30pm

n WATERFRONT ACTIVITIES • 11am
n HARVEST MARKET • 11am-4pm
n WAMPANOAG EDUCATIONAL PAVILION SPONSORED BY MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE • 11am-4pm

Thanksgiving Celebration www.usathanksgiving.com

Mission 201 7

OUR MISSION is to educate the public while The LastFrontier

preserving our country’s important history, starting with 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
the Pilgrim legacy and Thanksgiving story while PURCHASE OF ALASKA
recognizing all those who have fought to protect the 1867-2017
American way of life.
By Dr. Paul Jehle
The Annual America’s Hometown Thanksgiving
Celebration is held at the birthplace of Thanksgiving, THIS YEAR MARKS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY of
Plymouth, Massachusetts beginning on the weekend
before Thanksgiving. The celebration of Thanksgiving the official transfer of the Alaskan territory from Russia to the
becomes history-brought-to-life as Pilgrims, Native United States. Though finalized by Congress on March 30 of
Americans, Soldiers, Patriots, and Pioneers proudly 1867, the official flag exchange in Sitka took place on October 18.
climb out of the history books and onto the streets of Some opposed the sale on Constitutional grounds (first territory
Plymouth. purchased without promise of statehood). Others called it
“Seward’s Folly”, “Seward’s icebox” or simply a “polar bear
garden.” However, the territory eventually became the 49th
State on January 3, 1959.

It is 2.4 times larger than Texas and at a purchase price of 7.2
million dollars, it works out to 2 cents per acre. Sold by Russia
out of fear it would be seized by Great Britain which had just
won the Crimean war a decade earlier, William H. Seward,
U.S. Secretary of State, pulled off the deal of the century. Some
believe it was divine Providence at work that the US acquired
Alaska, for 50 years later the gold rush of 1917 brought in over

1 billion of new wealth for America. It has also proven a barrier

during the Cold War between Russia and the United States.
Watch for Eskimos and a possible dog sled in our parade
this year!

Thanksgiving Celebration www.usathanksgiving.com

We are proud to have the 201 7

WCVB EYEOPENER TEAM The First Thanksgiving
1621
be an integral part of our celebration!
BY PAUL JEHLE
Join us on Facebook in November for a chance to win a prize
package including an overnight stay, VIP Tickets, Grandstand THE PILGRIMS AND NATIVE AMERICANS held their
Seating to the Parade, and to meet the WCVB EyeOpener Team.
three-day Feast in 1621 with a total of 140 people. Only four adult
www.facebook.com/wcvb5 Pilgrim women were alive after the first winter to host the meal! It’s a
good thing the Natives brought much of the food! Edward Winslow
PLYMOUTH described it when he said:

Rotary Club “Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling,
that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had
THE PLYMOUTH ROTARY CLUB has happily and gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl
as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which
energetically assisted time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the
America’s Hometown Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king,
Thanksgiving Celebration for Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and
years by collecting donations ”feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the
along the parade route to be plantation, and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others.
used to help fund the parade.
The members of the Rotary Many cultures in North America gave thanks in gratitude long before
Club strongly believe in the Pilgrims arrived. Though holy days were called for prayer and
“Service above Self” and are fasting as well as thanksgiving in subsequent years, this was not the root
strongly committed to help of the harvest festival of 1621. What makes Thanksgiving in Plymouth
Plymouth and the a “first” are its Jewish and Biblical roots and that it took place in
surrounding towns anyway we harmony with Native
can. We are easy to spot in Americans. The harvest
our blue rotary jackets and we festival is probably rooted in
hope you will be able to the Jewish Feast of
donate at this year’s Tabernacles. The fact that
celebration. All donations are two cultures feasted for
greatly appreciated and truly three days and had friendly
help this tremendous parade athletic competition is
continue year after year. unique. Let us lift up in
thanks for what unifies us as
Americans this
Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Celebration www.usathanksgiving.com

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MemorialHall OUR TWO CONCERTS – the Friday night PIDC Patriotic Concert on November 17th and the
Concert Series
Saturday night Drum & Bugle Corps Reunion on November 18th– are sure to impress all who attend.
Both of these shows are an integral part of America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration and are
highly anticipated events.

Friday's Saturday's

UNITED STATES ARMY OLD GUARD NATIONAL SENIOR ALUMNI
FIFE AND DRUM CORPS DRUM & BUGLE CORP REUNION

7-9PM • FREE 6:30PM

AS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY’S premier musical JOIN US FOR ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR EVENINGS THAT
organizations, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps has inspired ALUMNI DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS HAS TO OFFER!
audiences throughout the Nation and abroad for over 50 years.
Founded on February 23, 1960, the men and women of the Corps Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights • Crusaders SR. Drum and Bugle Corps
proudly carry on the traditions that accompanied the birth of Ct. Alumni • Defenders Concert Corps • Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni
our Nation. To see the unit is to experience history come alive - Les Diplomates • North Star Alumni Corps • Reilly Raiders
a proud tradition that began with the musicians of the Continental Army and continues today!
For tickets go to www.usathanksgiving.com Or call 508-746-1818
www.fifeanddrum.army.mil

Directors Outstanding Citizenship Award

FROM SORROW TO SERVICE

AMERICA’S HOMETOWN THANKSGIVING After less than a year of fundraising, Bob Hollis opened
the Plymouth Recovery Center on July 1, 2017. The
is pleased to present the 2017 Director’s Outstanding facility is not a treatment center, but a place where people
Citizenship Award to Bob Hollis. Hollis, a well-known who have gone through treatment for addiction can get
businessman and Plymouth resident, has been active in help to stay in long-term recovery. The center is staffed
countless organizations and causes. His latest project by others who are in long term recovery. It offers resources
however was spurred by deep personal tragedy. In the fall for those in recovery, as well as their families and others
of 2016, the Hollis family lost their son and brother, Rob who have lost loved ones to addiction.
Hollis, to a drug overdose. Rob had been clean for two
years, but succumbed after a single relapse. Although We honor Bob and his family for their long time of
devastated by the loss, the family vowed to fight the service to our community. In the face of unspeakable loss,
disease of addiction in his memory. they continue to serve the town of Plymouth.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017 Ranked
PLYMOUTH CENTER BEST
THANKSGIVING
10: 03• AM OPENING CEREMONY COLE’S HILL PARADE IN
11: 00• AM PARADE STEPS OFF AT THE CORNER NORTH AMERICA

Thanksgiving Celebration OF NELSON ST. AND COURT ST.

America’sHometown ThanksgivingParade

THE SATURDAY MORNING century from the 17th through the 21st. In
CELEBRATION festivities begin on the showing the preservation of America’s history
Plymouth Massachusetts historic waterfront. through the years, beginning with the Pilgrim
An opening ceremony, featuring a variety of era, we promote an appreciation among our
top-quality entertainment is followed by the citizens for our rich heritage.
2017 Grand Parade.
The parade features beautifully decorated floats,
This is one of America’s only historically nationally recognized Drum and Bugle Corps,
accurate chronological parades, visually bringing re-enactment units from every period of
to life America’s rich heritage representing each American history and military marching units.

For more information on each float, please see the
Parade section of our website, www.usathanksgiving.com

RANKED TOP THANKSGIVING PARADES

n AOL.com n TravelMuse.com

n AboutTravel.com n TravelChannel.com

A Special Thank You

to our float builder volunteers Karl Lekberg, Rob Quick, Lyn Haglof,
Cheryl Birch, Shawn Coffin, Ed McSpadden, Steve Toth, Bill Hertwig,
Rick McKee, Rose Toth, Kathy Slicis, Jack Foran & Nancy Carroll, and
Heather Pooler, who worked tirelessly to make these amazing floats come alive.

WampanoagPavilion AMERICA’S HOMETOWN

SPONSORED BY Thanksgiving

SATURDAY 11/18 & SUNDAY 11/19 201 7
11-4 PM

FEATURING PLIMOTH PLANTATION

Come and have the opportunity to learn what really

happened at that first dinner between the Colonist and
Wampanoag people in the fall of 1621. Bring you and your
family along and turn back time to the year of 1621.

New England Food Festival

Thanksgiving Celebration

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18th 1
1-4pm

ADMISSION: $12.00 Adults/ $7.00 Children • Children under 5 are free!

NEW ENGLAND FOOD FESTIVAL features the best soups, chowders, We encourage you to come early
desserts, party foods, entrées and décor in the region. and to come hungry.

Enjoy live music, good company and Thanksgiving inspired design while you This is one event that your
sample and vote for the best of the best! taste buds don’t want to miss!

Every year over 2,300 eager attendees line up at the famous Plymouth Rock to
attend the New England Food Festival. This festival is a one of a kind experience
and one of the highlights of the celebration weekend. This good-natured
competition embraces quintessential New England style cuisine in a heated tent
on the historic Plymouth Waterfront.

THIS YEAR MANY LOCAL RESTAURANTS, FOOD SAMPLINGS, FACE PAINTING
AND ENTERTAINMENT BY DJ GENE DUPUIS AND ARTIST KEN SNOW!

Harvest Market

Thanksgiving Celebration

19SUNDAY, NOVEMBER TH
11AM-4PM

MEET OVER 30 LOCAL FARMERS AND FOOD-MAKERS

as you gather Thanksgiving feast ingredients to celebrate the fall harvest.

Prepare your Thanksgiving dinner using locally of baked goods: artisan and home baked breads,
grown, fresh-from-the-farm fruits, vegetables, buns, tarts, pies and seasonal treats.
herbs, preserves, eggs, grass-fed meats, and
mushrooms. Local food-makers will bring fresh The Harvest Market will also include a full day of
cheese, jams, sauces, honey and a wide selection live music and a seasonal cooking demonstration.

CULINARY INSIGHTS
COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS
n 12:00 PM

Chef Brent Turner, The Tasty

n 2:00 PM
Chef Mike Wisdom,
Baldies Pizza

MUSIC
The Dinghys

ART ON THE SPOT
Face Painting all day

Miss Margaret from the
Plymouth Public Library

CHILDREN'S STORY TIME

12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 PM

Illuminate 2017

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH

CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY

4AND CONCERT PM

NEW PLYMOUTH TOWN HALL
26 Court Street, Plymouth, MA

Additional programming will take place on Water Street and Main Street

4pm: ILLUMINATE THANKSGIVING; a candle-lighting

ceremony celebrating how “One small candle may light a thousand.”

4pm-8pm: ILLUMINATE DOWNTOWN PLYMOUTH;

the Plymouth Bay Cultural District will illuminate its storefronts for
the evening.

The annual Illuminate event will honor the Plymouth 400 theme
of Thanksgiving and inspire communities to
illuminate their lives and the lives of others as we
enter the countdown to the Plymouth 400
Commemoration—An American Story, A National
Legacy!

Thanksgiving Celebration AMERICA’S HOMETOWN

“Portal to thePast”
HISTORIC VILLAGE

Saturday, November 18th • 10 am - 4 pm

ExperienceHistoryFirstHand:
Step into the Portal to thePast

WE INVITE YOU TO WALK THROUGH THE

Portal to the Past...

THE HISTORIC AND SCENIC BREWSTER GARDENS
will once again be brought to life as dedicated living historians create a
Historic Village filled with authentic camps and scenarios of historical
eras. The Historic Village interpreters will inform and entertain – and
serve as guides as you personally travel among the centuries.

Allow time to stroll through our new Artisan Marketplace to observe
the many tradesmen using period skills to create ironware, pottery, soap,
tinware, and soap items for sale. We guarantee a visit to remember!

THE CENTENNIAL OF WORLD WAR I

1917-2017

By Dr. Paul Jehle

There are no veterans of World War I left to tell our heritage that “right makes might.”
their stories. The “war to end all wars” put the United States on a
Probably the most famous symbol of World War I is the Red Baron of
world stage for the first time in her history. It demonstrated, among Germany. Many of us remember Snoopy and the Red Baron, a symbol
other things, that we were governed differently and fought with a cause of the war. Known for its maneuverability and sleek style, pilots like
from within – a hunger for liberty and the right to govern ourselves. von Richthofen brought down many planes with it. The Allied forces,
Many nations took note, and right here in Massachusetts the first led by the United States, prevailed in the name of liberty, and in our
official recognition of a US military regiment – the 104th – was given parade an Allied bi-plane will be sending the Red Baron down to earth.
the Croix de Guerre (medal) by General Passaga of France for its valor Let us remember our history and the reason we are to stand for what is
in 1918. The trophy given to Massachusetts, on display at our State right. Let’s give thanks to our veterans of World War I who gave their
House, is a statue of David having killed Goliath. It forever marks all that we might be free today.

Thanksgiving Celebration www.usathanksgiving.com

201 7

Don't 25 Bodwell St.,  Avon, MA 02322
let it rain
on your
parade.

1-800-660-TENT WWW.BCTENT.COM

FRIENDS H State Representative Mathew Muratore Cretinon’s Farm Stand Old Colony Club
State Representative Thomas Calter Cordage Park Commerce Center Special Occasion Limousine
Linda Charpentier Sheriff Joseph McDonald East Bay Grille Bradford Liquors
Daniel Murphy C&C Reading Farm The Market Education Association of Plymouth & Carver
Former Senate President Terry Murray
Senator Vinny deMacedo

AMERICA’S HOMETOWN

Express Train

Thanksgiving Celebration

PROUD SPONSOR OF BRING YOUR
CANNED GOODS!
America’s Hometown Express Train
Make a difference to help feed the less fortunate.

Please remember to bring your donation of non-perishable food
items to add to the train along the parade route.

THE AMERICA’S HOMETOWN

EXPRESS sponsored by Marty’s Buick GMC
Isuzu is coming again this year – and with a
greater capacity to hold the food that will be
distributed by the Greater Plymouth Food
Warehouse. Come and help us do it!

All nonperishable food items are welcome
but the ones that are in the biggest demand
are peanut butter, cans of tuna, cereals, paper
towels and toilet paper, diapers and juices.
People attending the parade are welcomed to
put items in the train when the “America’s
Hometown Express” comes past.

Thanksgiving Celebration AMERICA’S HOMETOWN

Thanksgiving

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PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO PLYMOUTH
ON SATURDAY — NOVEMBER 18

TO ENJOY THE PARADE AND EVENTS.

• From Boston/ South Station to Plymouth Station
via train 1051:
Arrive at Plymouth and take a FREE GATRA/PB
FREE parking shuttle with service every 15 minutes,
into the Parade. Return trip back gives you three train
time options for departing: the 12:54 p.m., 3:45 p.m.
or 6:57 p.m. train.

• FREE shuttle bus to the parade and FREE parking
available at Exit 5 off of Route 3.

Parade begins at Rte. 3A and Nelson St. 9

CELEBRATION MAP Main Street PARADE ROUTE Court Street PARADE ROUTE
& GUIDE FOR THE
Sandwich Street Leyden Street P P
PARADE
Bradford Street 7 North Street Brewster Street
at 10:30am Lincoln Street Middle Street
GBraerwdesnter
Opening Ceremony at Pilgrim Memorial State Park
Water Street PARADE Store

Vendor 2 ROUTE Cole’s Hill StoreWatSetorreStreSetotre
Parking Water Street
PP PP 8
1 Group Tour Seating
1

2 VIP Tent and Grand Stand 3 133State Pier
3 Music Pavilion 4&5
4 NE Food Festival 6 1620
5 Harvest Market
Plymouth
Rock

6 Vendor Court

7 Historic Village/Portal to the Past PP PP PP Mayflower II
8 Wampanoag Pavilion sponsored by

Massasoit Community College
9 Illuminate 2017 presented by Plymouth 400

Join us to bePart of History...