15th Annual Strawberry Thanksgiving

Plymouth Plantation will celebrate its 15th annual Strawberry Thanksgiving this weekend. The state’s only 17th century Native American event will occur Saturday, June 25 and will include fun for the whole family. The Native People celebrate many times throughout the year to give thanks for the Earth. Strawberry Thanksgiving is a big part of their tradition. Plimoth Plantation's Wampanoag Indigenous Program (WIP) will host the special event to celebrate the first harvest of the growing season.

Since the 17th century strawberries, the first fruit of the new season, were honored with ceremony, singing, dancing, feasting and games. This weekend’s Strawberry Thanksgiving will include just that as well as mishoon, (dugout canoe) races and an exhibition of traditional Wampanoag foods. Also guests will be sure to find themselves feasting on strawberry shortcake and special strawberry dishes available at the Museum’s Patuxet café.

The native Wampanoag tribe received federal recognition from the U.S government four years ago and has generated a great deal of attention since. The process of getting recognized is a long, intricate, and expensive one; however if accepted the tribe can then have access to a range of federal services in education, social services, law enforcement, health services and resource protection through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Plantation’s Strawberry Thanksgiving is a great opportunity for families to come and meet with Native Wampanoag men and women, as well as join them in a wonderful celebration.  

The event is an opportunity to come and interact with the culture that has thrived in New England for over 12,000 years.