Thanksgiving In Wyoming: A MapQuest Guide

MapQuest | By Shellie Braeuner | Posted: 10/28/11 12:31 PM ET | Updated: 12/24/11 05:12 AM ET

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Thanksgiving in Wyoming is a time for gathering with family and loved ones, expressing gratitude and, of course, eating. As part of TurkeyQuest -- a MapQuest guide to Thanksgiving events, featuring everything from parades to holiday sales to activities for families -- here are two of the best ways to experience Thanksgiving in Wyoming and one opportunity to give back to others.

Wyoming Thanksgiving Events Map

COMEA House Turkey Trot And Gobble Wobble

Join Cheyenne runners for one of the earliest turkey trots of the season. Held on the first weekend of November, The COMEA House Turkey Trot and Gobble Wobble includes both a 5K run for adults and a fun run for children. All proceeds benefit COMEA House (Cooperative Ministry of Emergency Assistance), a Cheyenne homeless shelter for men, women and families. Registration is $20 per adult, and $10 per child. In order to encourage entire families to run together, there is a $30 family plan that covers both the 5K and the fun run.

1504 Stinson Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001

Sheridan Christmas Stroll

The day after Thanksgiving, the town of Sheridan, Wyoming opens its arms to welcome visitors from all over the country. The annual Sheridan Christmas Stroll begins with a bang when the sky is illuminated with fireworks. The street is closed to cars for the first weekend, and passengers are ferried through the downtown by trolley and mule wagons. Area merchants sell special lapel buttons with individual numbers between one and 4,000. Merchants draw numbers and give prizes to shoppers wearing a prize winning button. Santa and Mrs. Claus are available for special Christmas requests.

Main Street, Sheridan, WY 82801

Volunteer: Central Wyoming Rescue Mission

For many, giving thanks means giving back to the community. Thanksgiving is especially hard on those who have no home or family. The Central Wyoming Rescue Mission (CWRM) provides more than just a roof over the heads of homeless men and women; it treats those less fortunate to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The Mission needs volunteers to work before Thanksgiving to collect, transport and prepare food for the annual dinner. Those interested in volunteering may also want to spend some extra hours at the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies -- for every three hours volunteered at its shelter the Rockies will give CWRM a 20-pound food credit.

230 N. Park St., Casper, WY 82601 | Go to Huffington Post Impact to see how else you can volunteer.