As Thanksgiving approaches, the holiday’s short, two-day break looms for many UO students who may find themselves unable to make the journey home due to such a quick turnaround. However, with access to Thanksgiving feasts, festive activities and the Duck’s last annual rivalry game against the Oregon State Beavers, students can turn their staycation into a memorable one right here in Eugene.
“A lot of us couldn’t afford to get a ticket home or driving was too far for the short amount of time that we get,” UO student Kennedy Tidd said regarding her and her roommates’ Thanksgiving plans. “We are trying to make it as homey and traditional as possible considering we are all kind of sad we won’t be able to go home,” she said.
Tidd and her roommates aren’t the only ones staying in Eugene for Thanksgiving. UO freshman, Ben Blonigen, grew up in Eugene and has spent all his Thanksgiving holidays here. “There’s lots of stuff to do here around Thanksgiving,” Blonigen said. He recommends hiking around Spencer Butte or Mt. Pisgah to enjoy Eugene’s beautiful nature before it gets too cold.
Blonigen will also be participating in this year’s Eugene Turkey Trot in Alton Baker Park. After running in last year’s Turkey Trot, Blonigen is “looking forward to getting out there with my friends and family and doing something with the community,” he said.
As a part of the UO Running Club, Blonigen will be running in the 10k event. A 5k event is also available for trotting according to the Eugene Turkey Trot webpage. To register for the event, make sure to sign up online before Wednesday, Nov. 22.
Another big event happening in Eugene the day after Thanksgiving is the 128th— and last — Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State Beavers Civil War football game. As announced in the 2024 Oregon Football schedule, the Oregon Ducks will not be playing Oregon State again as they move to the Big Ten Conference next year. UO senior Maggie Morford, who is staying in Eugene with her roommates this Thanksgiving, says she feels bittersweet about this year’s game. “I don’t know when I’ll be back in Eugene next after graduation, so I’m thrilled to be able to experience this last Civil War game,” she said.
“I think it will be a super exciting game since it’s the last Civil War and home football game of the season,” UO senior Audrey Tyler said, a marketing and fan experience intern for Oregon Athletics. “The hype will be there, especially for the seniors, I think it will be a really special game,” Tyler said.
Like Blonigen, Tyler is used to being in Eugene for Thanksgiving. “I’ve actually never gone home for Thanksgiving all four years since it’s such a short break and hard to fly home to California,” she said. Traditionally, her friends and family come up to spend the holiday together in Eugene. “We’ll adopt a few stragglers who don’t have family up here, so it becomes a little gathering of friends,” Tyler said.
Regarding making a traditional Thanksgiving meal away from home, Blonigen and Tyler both recommend Market of Choice or Whole Foods. “They have the best ingredients, I always go there,” Tyler said. Both grocery stores are offering holiday meal sets, side dishes and more for reservation and pick up between Nov. 17 and Nov. 23.
