Run the Turkey Trot, attend Holiday Lights and more in Fond du Lac's can't-miss events this week

FOND DU LAC — Signs of the holiday season are showing up more frequently as we approach Thanksgiving.

On Nov. 23, the Festival Foods Turkey Trot will be held at the high school and, that evening, the Holiday Lights at Lakeside Park will be on display.

There's no shortage of events this week to get you in the spirit of the season.

Here are five can’t-miss events happening in the community this week.

1. Turkey Trot begins at 8 a.m. Nov. 23

The Festival Foods Turkey Trot will begin at 8 a.m. Nov. 23 at Fond du Lac High School, 801 Campus Drive.

Participants can do the untimed 2-mile Walk, 2-mile Fun Run, or the timed 5-mile Run, and is open to everyone of all ages and abilities. There’s also a 2-mile Dog Jog.

Goodies included with registration include coupons, snacks, race-day bib and more.

Registration is $35 for adults and $15 for children 18 and younger. Sign up at fonddulac.festivalfoodsturkeytrot.com.

Packet pickup is 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 22 and 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Nov. 23.

All registered participants will be eligible to win a new Polaris Sportsman 850 Ultimate Trail ATV.

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2. Visit the Holiday Lights at Lakeside Park

The Holiday Lights will be on display beginning Nov. 23 at Lakeside Park, 555 N. Park Ave.

Each night from 5 to 11 p.m., visitors can watch the show from their cars. The display will be up through Jan. 1.

There is no charge to view the show. There is a parking lot across the street for the best view. After parking, turn off your headlights and tune your car radio to 87.9 FM to hear the music. There are eight songs in the rotation that takes approximately 25 minutes, then the show repeats.

For more information, visit fdlrotary.com/page/fdl-lights.

3. 'It's a Wonderful Life' presented as a radio play

Fond du Lac Community Theatre will present the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” Nov. 16-19 at the Goodrich Little Theatre, 72 W. Ninth St. Show times are 7 p.m. Nov. 16-18 and 2 p.m. Nov. 19.

This show is based on the classic holiday movie, except it’s staged as a live radio broadcast. Actors portray numerous characters, and sound effects are done through Foley artists. The story follows George Bailey, who is down on life. A loveable angel comes to George to show him what life would be like if he doesn’t have a change of heart and have a better understanding of the true spirit of the holidays.

Tickets are available online at hometowntickets.com/fdlct or in person at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts during regular business hours. Tickets also available at the door for an additional $3 per ticket.

For more information, visit fdlct.com.

4. Sigma hosts its annual Holiday House Nov. 18

Sigma of Fond du Lac will host its Holiday House Nov. 18 in the Expo Center at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds, 520 Fond du Lac Ave. The event will run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to the public.

The Sigma Holiday House showcases juried artisans offering a variety of collectibles, gifts, original crafts, clothing and art. There will be a raffle and a silent auction and homemade Christmas cookies available for purchase.

Admission is $5, and children ages 6 and younger are admitted free.

Get tickets in advance from Sigma members or at the following businesses: Klapperich Real Estate, Horicon Bank on West Johnson or East Johnson, Partners By Design, Blue Door Coffee Co., Beans & Bites, National Exchange, Boudry Dental LLC, Create Salon and Spa and Fox Valley Savings Bank.

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5. Dance to the music of the Big Band Era Nov. 21

The Lighthouse Big Band’s Holiday Kick-off Dance Party is set for Nov. 21. The event begins at 7 p.m. in the Fountain City Jazz and Dance Club at Thelma, 51 Sheboygan St.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the band will perform songs of the “Big Band Era,” featuring music by Charlie Barnet, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie and many others. Guest vocalist Paul Rosenfeld will sing some Frank Sinatra favorites.

Admission is free. For more information, visit thelmaarts.org/pages/events.

Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@gannett.com or 920-996-7241.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac events: Turkey Trot, Holiday Lights, It's a Wonderful Life