Larry Hypes
Contributing Writer
CHRISTIANSBURG – On the eve of Thanksgiving, Montgomery County has had 249 birthdays to be grateful for and within 2026, both the county and the country will celebrate a semiquincentennial; that is, 250 years of existence.
Now, while United States is having its annual July 4 birthday, Montgomery County is about five months younger, having been officially formed on Dec. 31, 1776.
In 2025, the New River Valley has much to be thankful for, with the bustling Virginia Tech and Radford University campuses, the prospect of AMTRAK service coming within the next two years, and continued improvements in transportation and housing.
Just when the local citizens first shared their heartfelt thanks for the bounty surrounding them is not known – and neither is the date of the first actual Thanksgiving in the nation.
For instance, records show that a feast was held in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1585, as the Spanish immigrants showed gratitude with local native people for a safe trip across the Atlantic and arrival in the gentle climate in what would become one of the world’s premier vacation destinations.
County residents, however, might be inclined to agree that the first Thanksgiving was held at Berkley Hundred (plantation) near the James River in the great Commonwealth of Virginia, just slightly over 242 miles from the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford area. Virginians, after all, consider themselves the backbone of early America and a leader in national events since.
Then, the most publicized Thanksgiving of all, the one at Plymouth, Massachusetts, took place near Cape Cod in 1621. That was the one that got the most “ink” and a pair of presidents, Abraham Lincoln in 1863 who made a formal declaration of the holiday and later John F. Kennedy, who first toasted (his home state of) Massachusetts a century later and later graciously and humorously included Virginia, gave a nod to the great day.
With many local restaurants and grocery stores featuring special deals on both food items and prepared meals and a host of generous groups assisting the less fortunate by donations of meals, the emphasis on eating here in the New River Valley will again celebrate continued interest.
Here in the area, a safe estimate is that hosts of Thanksgiving meals will welcome an average of 11 guests and spend about $361 for the privilege. Of course, by smart shopping and taking advantage of our local merchants’ best deals, that financial total will probably be less.
Perhaps the turkey, that famed bird so associated with Thanksgiving, is the only creature not thrilled with the holiday. That might explain why so many feathers have been seen on the hills and highways around here. An adult turkey is estimated to grow about 3,500 feathers and it is likely that they probably shed a few trying to hide out and stay safe until the first of December.
NOTE: This is nothing new for turkeys. As far back as 800 B.C., records show that the Etruscans (Italy) came up with a wishbone ceremony. No one knows exactly what the birds thought about it.
Then, for much of the day, football will share the spotlight. The National Football League usually shows three games, with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys taking a slot each year. Montgomery County residents will take a keen interest in the college grid competition as the Virginia Tech Hokies and Virginia Cavaliers will battle for the Commonwealth Cup, with that game taking place this season on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.
Enjoy!
