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People love a parade, even in November. Last year the America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade proved it – despite rainy weather the festivities – which are always held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving – went on a planned, albeit with a smaller turnout than usual.
The parade itself, run by the America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration organization, is part of a weekend of holiday events.
This year, the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra will kick it off on Friday, Nov. 21, with its “Hooray for Hollywood” concert, led as usual by music director Steven Karidoyanes at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The performance will highlight famous films that are having significant anniversaries, like “Back to the Future” (which turned 40), “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (now 50), and “The Sound of Music” (almost retired at 60). The orchestra also will pay tribute to the music of John Williams, whose written scores for many blockbuster movies, including “Star Wars.” Guest vocalist Jacyn Tremblay will sing songs from other films, including “Skyfall” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Tickets are $45, and you can get them here or call 508-746-8008.
If you’re going to the parade on Saturday, Nov. 22, you may want to plan ahead to avoid being stuck in traffic. You can find parking off Route 3 at Exit 13 at Plymouth County Courthouse at 52 Obery St., or at the Kingston MBTA lot off Exit 17. Free shuttle buses will run from there every 15 minutes to drop-off locations for the parade.
If you can’t make it in person, the parade will be broadcast live on WCVB TV Channel 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and rebroadcast on Thanksgiving Day, from 9 to 11 a.m. You can also stream the parade through the Very Local app, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Android TV.
The parade officially starts at 9 a.m., on Saturday, with opening ceremonies at Plymouth Rock on Water Street. At 10 a.m., the parade sets off on its journey, heading south on Water Street up to Main Street Extension, on to Main Street, then to Court Street. It ends up at the intersection of Court with Nelson Street. Knowing the route, you can plan just where you want to view it from.
There are plenty of activities planned for children and adults all day. Santa will make an appearance for photo opportunities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Village in Brewster Gardens. A kid-friendly pavilion will feature crafts and activities like face-painting, a petting zoo, and more. There will also be food and drink vendors, and live music.
Adults may want to check out the craft beer and wine tent on the waterfront from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6.
The parade will feature the usual array of floats and reenactors, reflecting periods of history, as well as marching bands and drum and bugle corps from various high schools. In keeping with what its organizers say is focus on historical accuracy, the parade will represent each century from the 17th through the 21st chronologically.
Some of the new floats this year celebrate anniversaries. There’s a “Jaws” float in recognition of the film’s 50th anniversary, a Muppets float celebrating the 70th anniversary of Jim Henson’s creations, a float celebrating 150 years since the building of St. Peter’s Church in Plymouth in 1875, and a float portraying George Washington and the 250th anniversary of the creation of the Continental Army, Navy, and Marines.
Other new floats will recognize the battles of Lexington and Concord, and the Battle of Bunker Hill – 250 years after the start of the Revolutionary War.
You can top off the day with the sounds of patriotic music performed by the Senior Alumni Drum and Bugle Corp at 5 p.m. in Memorial Hall. Tickets for the concert are $31. You can buy them here.
On Sunday, Nov. 23, check out produce and artisanal items from local farmers and creators at America’s Hometown Harvest Festival, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Pilgrim Memorial State Park on the waterfront. It’s a fitting way to cap off the celebratory weekend while supporting local businesses and stocking up for Thanksgiving.
For more details and information about the parade, go here.
Monday, November 17
“Nuremberg,” a psychological thriller and historical drama, will is showing at Plimoth Cinema at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. Rami Malek plays Douglas Kelley, a psychiatrist who must decide whether Nazi leader Herman Goring, played by Russell Crowe, is fit to stand trial. The movie delves into the intricacies of establishing the international Nuremberg tribunal and the relationship between Kelley and Goring. “Train Dreams,” starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones, continues screening at the cinema. Film times are 4:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.50, $11 with a club card, $10 for seniors or members, and $8.50 for seniors with a club card.
Wednesday, November 19
Enjoy a free concert by the Squeezebox Stompers in the Fehlow Meeting Room at Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 6 to 7 p.m. The Boston area American roots band has been performing around New England for more than 25 years, offering a blend of Cajun, zydeco, blues, folk, and original music. This event is presented by the Dr. Richard M. Shiff Fund. Registration is required, and you can do that here.
Thursday, November 20
Get some much-needed laughs at Comedy Coop Night, hosted by Joe Fenti, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Untold Brewing, 2 Loring Blvd. Fenti will introduce four “up-and-coming” local comics – and perform himself. Tickets are $20, and you can buy them here.
The Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., will hold an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. for its new members-only show, “Perspectives.” The categories are painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, pastel, mixed-media, fine crafts, and sculpture. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.
Friday, November 21
Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard will perform at the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7. Shepard has sold over 12 million albums, won two Golden Globes, two Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild awards, and was the writer and performer of “Searchin’ My Soul,” the theme song for TV’s “Ally McBeal.” She is touring with her band in support of her latest album, “Red Light/Green Light.” The band features James Ralston on guitar, Jim Hanson on bass, and Fritz Lewak on drums. Tickets are $44.50 and $49, and you can buy them here.
The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra kicks off the America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration with a “Hooray for Hollywood” concert. See the lead item in this column for more details.
“Rental Family,” starring Brendan Fraser, will begin screening at Plimoth Cinema at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. Fraser plays an American actor living in Japan working for a rental family service, where he plays stand-in roles in other people’s lives. “Wicked: For Good” – the sequel to that other “Wicked” movie – will also begin screening. Find out what happens with Elphaba (Cynthia Ervino) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) in this musical drama. Film times are 4:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.50, $11 with a club card, $10 for seniors or members, and $8.50 for seniors with a club card.
Saturday, November 22
Opening ceremonies for America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade will be held at 9 a.m. at Plymouth Rock, and the parade steps off from there at 10 a.m. See the lead item in this column for more information.
Children ages 11 to 15, can sign up for Babysitter Safety Training at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Topics of discussion include infant and childcare, child development, basic first aid, choking rescue for infants and children, and injury prevention. Attendees will receive a certificate upon completion. Registration is required, and you can do so here.
New workshops at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., include Procreate for Beginners, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a break for lunch, Beginners Phone Photography, from 3 to 5 p.m., and Playful Book Binding, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshops are $65 each, and you can register for them here.
Savor a New England Harvest Feast at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave., from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The feasts feature meals based 17th century menus and are served by Pilgrim interpreters who share historical information about the food and the manners of the time. Tickets for adult members of the museums are $64.99, and $48.19 for child members ages 5-12. Non-member adult tickets are $93.34, and $66.04 for children ages 5-12. Tickets for children under 5 are $46.09. You can reserve your tickets here.
Sunday, November 23
Visit the America’s Hometown Harvest Festival on the waterfront from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to cap off a weekend for pre-Thanksgiving celebrations. See the lead item in this column for more information.
Plymouth Pride invites the public to celebrate the holidays by visiting its “Winter Glow Market,” from 12 to 4 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom at the Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor, 180 Water St. The market will feature handmade wares from local LGBTQ+ artisans, and items from more than 40 different vendors. There will be food and a bar, along with drag shows at 1 and 3 p.m. To get in for free, bring an unwrapped toy for a child or a gift card for a teen. Admission is free for children under 12.
The Shady Roosters return to the Spire’s lobby from 2 to 5 p.m., performing their rootsy rockabilly, blues, and country tunes. These events are sponsored by the IndieFerm (Independent Fermentations) brewery and feature its craft beers on tap, kombucha by the bottle, and a selection of wine and other beverages. Admission is $5 cash, payable at the door.
Monday, November 24
Singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid will perform in the Fehlow Meeting Room at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 4 to 5:30 p.m. McQuaid, who lives in rural England, plays acoustic and electric guitars, piano, and drums. Registration is required, and you can do so here.
Thursday, November 27
The annual Running of the Pilgrims 5K race starts at 7:30 a.m. at Plymouth Rock, 75 Water St. Walkers are also welcome, but no dogs, please. Registration is $35 for adults 19 and older, $30 for students ages 11 to 18, and $25 for seniors, as well as children 10 and younger. Registration is online-only, and you can do so here. Bib pickup and registration will close by 7:20 a.m. on the day of the race.
The United American Indians of New England will recognize the National Day of Mourning from 12 to 3 p.m. on Cole’s Hill, above Plymouth Rock. Rather than celebrating the first Thanksgiving, many Indigenous people see it as a symbol of the beginnings of racism and oppression. They gather instead to honor their ancestors and Native resilience. There will be rallies and a march through Plymouth’s historic district. For those who can’t attend in person, the event will be livestreamed here.
Saturday, November 29
Magical Mystery Doors – Beatles, Zeppelin, Doors, a tribute band that blends the music of the three legendary bands, will perform at Memorial Hall at 8 p.m. Tickets for the show are $35, $45.25, $56, and $78, and you can get them here.
The Family Puzzle Race takes off from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Fehlow Meeting Room at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. Families with children age 8 or older can participate in teams of two to four people to see who can finish their puzzle first. The competition is limited to 10 teams, and there must be at least two people on a team. Everyone wins, because all teams get to take their puzzle home. Registration is required, and you can do so here.