Today, we are delivering a smorgasbord of facts, stories, and traditions from around Lancaster County. Consider bringing a few of these to your Thanksgiving table. It might not stop your uncle’s political monologue, but it’ll make for better table talk.
Millersville Turkey Trot: Lancaster County’s Oldest Road Race
While running a 5K before eating a 3,000-calorie feast is a national trend, Lancaster started doing it before it was cool. The Millersville Turkey Trot is widely cited as the oldest road race in Lancaster County.
It began in 1973 as a grueling 10-mile trek with more than 800 runners. The prize? An actual turkey. Today, having pivoted to a friendlier 5K format, the race has exploded in popularity. While early years saw modest crowds, recent iterations have seen registration numbers swell to nearly 3,000 participants, transforming a small contest into a massive community reunion.
- The Origins: First held in 1973, this wasn’t always a quick morning jog. It began as a grueling 10-mile run that attracted about 800 runners.
- The Prize: In the early days, the winner actually went home with a turkey.
It remains a beloved family-friendly event for generations of Lancastrians.
Esbenshade Turkey Farm: The Oldest Turkey Farm in America
When you slice into the bird this Thursday, you might be participating in a history that predates the Civil War. Located between Strasburg and Paradise, the Esbenshade Turkey Farm holds the distinct honor of being the oldest turkey farm in the United States.
Founded in 1858, the farm is now operated by the seventh generation of the Esbenshade family. They specialize in the Broad Breasted White turkey, raising thousands of birds annually in a cage-free environment. In an era of factory farming, Esbenshade has remained a testament to Lancaster’s agricultural endurance for more than 165 years.
“The Turkey Lady” of Lancaster Central Market: A Local Thanksgiving Legend
In New York, they have the Macy’s Parade. In Lancaster, we have the pilgrimage to Stand 37. Tarrah Berrier, affectionately known as “The Turkey Lady,” has become the local queen of the local Thanksgiving table.
The Snack: Don’t leave without trying the smoked turkey sticks, one of my personal favorite snacks.
The Rush: Demand is so high that she begins taking orders 60 days before Thanksgiving.
Local Twist: She has inspired a creative local recipe where customers buy a pre-cooked turkey breast, wrap it in stuffing and bacon, and roast it.
A Lost Thanksgiving Appetizer
If you looked at a menu from the Hotel Brunswick or the Stevens House in downtown Lancaster in the early 1900s, you would notice a glaring difference from today’s meal. You wouldn’t just see turkey; you would see oysters.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, oyster soup or raw oysters were the non-negotiable appetizer for a proper Lancaster Thanksgiving. It was a sign of sophistication to have fresh seafood shipped inland by rail. Today, the tradition has mostly vanished, but for decades, a Lancaster Thanksgiving tasted like the ocean.
The 1970 Turkey Bowl: The Day 11,000 Lancastrians Watched a Thanksgiving High School Football Game
Football on Thanksgiving is a classic American tradition, but Lancaster took it to a different level in 1970. In a legendary matchup, J.P. McCaskey (Public) faced off against Lancaster Catholic (Parochial) at McCaskey’s stadium.
The game didn’t just draw a crowd; it drew a population. Historical reports confirm an attendance of roughly 11,000 spectators. To put that in perspective, that is nearly double the capacity of the Clipper Magazine Stadium today. The “Red Tornado” of McCaskey shut out the “Crusaders” 20-0 in frigid weather, but the score is secondary to the image of a city united, and packed shoulder-to-shoulder on a holiday morning.
I hope these stories add a little local flavor to your day.
From all of us at The Lancaster Review, have a safe, happy, and filling Thanksgiving.
