Today is a day Americans give thanks for the many blessings they are able to celebrate, and living life in a small college town is full of bonus blessings. While Arkadelphia is void of most college students who traveled home for the holiday, many families that remain will be celebrating Thanksgiving with relatives coming home to visit. For residents and visitors alike, The Arkadelphian has compiled a list of activity ideas families can enjoy once the turkey and dressing have been scarfed down.

Walk off the turkey

Arkadelphia is home to a 2.5-mile, paved walking trail spanning from the Ouachita River to Baptist Health Medical Center. Feaster Trail is the perfect place to bike, run, jog or walk off the calories you’re sure to consume with a Thanksgiving meal. For those up for the challenge, start at either the hospital or river (Carter Road access), traverse the entire trail and back to the starting point. With a total of four access points with parking (North 15th Street and North 26th Street), make your jaunt on Feaster Trail as short or long as you’d like. Even more trails are available for use at DeGray Lake.

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Find solitude

Spending the holidays with family is great, but a little time with the in-laws goes a long way, leaving you overwhelmed. Arkadelphia has the perfect place to get away and reflect on your blessings alone (or, if you’re that close to your in-laws, bring them along). DeSoto Bluff is a short, 1/4-mile walk from the North 10th Street parking area/trailhead to the bluff overlooking the Ouachita River and miles of fertile landscape beyond. With several informational signs with history tidbits along the trail, you can surely lose yourself long enough to let the kinfolks simmer down. Pro tip: the longer it takes to read the signs, the more time your in-laws spend without you (or vice versa?).

Support the Badgers

The Arkadelphia Badgers are looking to advance to the 4A state semifinals when they face the Rivercrest Colts Friday at 7 p.m. at Arkadelphia High School. The Badgers are 10-0 and the one-seed from the 4A-7. Rivercrest is 9-3 and the two-seed from the 4A-3. Rivercrest High School is located in northeast Arkansas in Wilson, along the Mississippi River between Memphis and Blytheville. The winner of Friday night’s game will play next Friday, December 2, in the 4A State semifinals agains the winner of this week’s quarterfinal game between Harding Academy and McGehee. Tickets are $7 and must be purchased online at this link.

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Shop small

For the second year in a row, Arkadelphia has been selected by American Express as a Neighborhood Champion for a campaign urging residents to shop locally. Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shopping on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. For every $100 spent at a local businesses, $68 stays in the community, according to Nikki Chandler, executive vice president of the Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce. Businesses that participated in last week’s Holiday Open House are sure to have business hours on this nationally recognized day that promotes supporting local shops.

Watch a Thanksgiving classic

When one thinks of holiday movies, the first thing that springs to mind is most likely Christmas. With new releases every year at both the box office and on streaming services, as well as all those classic favorites we know and love, there’s no shortage of Christmas movies to add to your watch list. But amid all that Yuletide cheer, Thanksgiving shouldn’t be forgotten—and there are quite a few movies that align with “Turkey Day,” many of which can be an enjoyable addition to seasonal traditions. — Stacker

LIST: Best Thanksgiving Movies of All Time