Downtown to host children’s ‘Turkey Trot’

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The St. Clair Shores City Council approved the use of the downtown area for a “Turkey Trot” children’s run in a 7-0 vote.

Angela Washington said she and her husband Phil Washington came up with the idea of the local trot because of their interest in the downtown events. She also said they wanted to help out with events for children.

“We always wanted some kind of a 5K or any type of run that I thought would be fun for the city. I know it takes a lot of planning so this year we decided on the Turkey Trot if we can make that happen,” Angela said.

Angela said this year, the event will be free of charge since it is the first one.

The event will run from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 9. Registration will start around 3 p.m. and the run will start around 4 p.m. The downtown area is located along Greater Mack Avenue from Nine Mile Road south to the Nine Mack Drive and Cavalier Drive intersection.

Children will run a 0.25-mile downtown loop four times and each lap they will receive a bracelet. They can then trade these bracelets in for a prize. Heating tents and hot chocolate will be available for eventgoers to enjoy. Angela said they’d absolutely consider an adult Turkey Trot as well.

“This year was just harder because (it’s) more last minute, seeing if we could get it approved and I felt it would be easy for the kids,” Angela said. “But that would definitely (be) something in the future.”

The original idea came from discussions of hosting a run at Junefest, something, Angela said, was too last minute. They then considered the Turkey Trot.

Phil presented the item at the City Council meeting, stating that it would also be a scaled down social district outing.

“Just something to get more families down(town,)” Phil said. “Just to encourage (families) to bring their kids down and take advantage of our downtown area.”

Phil provided a document with signatures of almost all of the businesses downtown. City Manager Dustin Lent added that they also requested to rent the bandshell.

“I think they’re going to be getting a band as well as the DPW workers to be able to clean up for the event just like a normal social district,” Lent said.

The original expected number written down for the council meeting was 100 participants, but Phil said they definitely expect more. He also said they will hand out passport sheets for adults to go to businesses with their children to get a sticker.

“At the end, we also have Shores Meat Shop that’s going to donate a turkey,” Phil said.

Councilman Dave Rubello thanked those who help the success of the downtown area. Rubello mentioned things like the kid zone during the downtown social district hours and other things.

“You’re doing wonderful stuff down there and you can see what’s going on and it’s progressing quite nicely,” Rubello said.

Lent said there will be social district rules: Alcoholic beverages will be in marked cups, and patrons cannot take one alcoholic drink from one bar or restaurant into another bar or restaurant.

For more rules, visit scsmi.net. To register for the Turkey Trot, visit the Downtown St. Clair Shores Facebook page. A separate Facebook group will also be created prior to the event.

Eventgoers can register the day of, but registering in advance will help event planners know how many medals and prizes they need.