Celebrating Food and Family

The First Thanksgiving Thanksgiving began as a 3-day celebration by the Pilgrims to show thanks for a bountiful harvest.

Modern Day Thanksgiving We celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States today by spending time with family and friends over a feast of food.

Parades Parades are held all over America to celebrate the holiday. The largest parade is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City.

Football Football games are played at levels throughout the country. High school teams often play their “Homecoming Game” on this day.

The Yam Festival In early August, the people in West Africa and the South Pacific Islands celebrate the Yam Festival.

The Night Before The night before the festival begins, the children help throw out any yams left over from last year.

Offerings The next morning they offer fresh yams to the gods and their ancestors.

After the Festival Ends After the ceremonies, the yams are divided among the villages and everyone cooks dishes made with the yams and other vegetables.

Chusok Chusok is celebrated by Koreans in August. It is a holiday that celebrates their ancestors. It is also called the Harvest Moon Festival.

The Night Before Chusok The women dress up in costumes and dance in a circle dance.

The Day of Chusok In the morning they dress up in their best clothes and they go to the grave yard and put food in front of the grave.

The Feast They have a feast of fresh rice, cakes, persimmons, mushrooms and chestnuts. They give thanks for the harvest.

Sukkoth During Sukkoth, people celebrate the harvest and honor their ancestors. It takes place in September or October.

The Hut A three-sided hut made from corn stalks is built for Sukkoth. The hut reminds them how far their ancestors had to walk on their journey to the promised land. The family will eat their meals in the hut for the next week .

The Feast There are seven days of feasting and religious services.