A 44-year tradition continues at Hesston College’s annual Thanksgiving Weekend: A Family Celebration Nov. 24 to 26.

The weekend lineup includes activities for all ages, including a traditional Thanksgiving meal, music concerts, a talent show, men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, a two-mile run/walk and a luminary walk at Dyck Arboretum.

“Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for family and friends and particularly the Hesston community to join together for celebration,” said special events director Dallas Stutzman.

Rachel Swartzendruber Miller, vice president of Admissions, said the focus of the weekend is to give families of current students the chance to experience the Hesston College community. Prospective students and their parents can explore what Hesston has to offer and meet faculty during a majors exhibition, and enjoy the fun of the campus community during activities like the annual talent show.

“The weekend is a snapshot of what Hesston College is like,” said Swartzendruber Miller.

Some Thanksgiving weekend traditions of special interest include the traditional Thanksgiving buffet prepared by Hesston College Food Service and hosted by faculty and staff members. The dinner will be served from 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 24 in Bontrager Student Center. Reservations are required.

The music department will perform several times throughout the weekend. A choral masterworks concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 24 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary will feature part one of Handel’s “Messiah” performed by an 80-voice choir of students and community members collaborating with an orchestra.

The Hesston College Chorale, Bel Canto Singers and Concert Band will perform works from their fall repertoire at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Hesston Mennonite Church santuary.

Voice and Acting students will perform a collection of musical theatre songs and scenes during a Cabaret Music Revue at 4 p.m. Nov. 26 in the Northlawn Studio Theatre. Admission is free but tickets are required as seating is limited. Call the Hesston College Bookstore at 620-327-8105 to reserve tickets.

Current students, faculty and staff will display their talents through song, skits and video at a 10 p.m. talent show Nov. 24 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams will host Brown Mackie College (Salina, Kan.), Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kan.) junior varsity, Northern Oklahoma College-Enid, Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.) junior varsity and Barton Community College (Great Bend, Kan.) for the American Family Insurance/Greg Raleigh Agency tournament Nov. 25 and 26.

The 20th Annual Thanksgiving Run – The Howard Hustle two-mile run/walk will be Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. An early entry fee of $15 is being offered to registrants until Nov. 16. The fee after Nov. 16 is $20. Entry fees cover t-shirts and a chip timer for each runner. Any remaining proceeds will be donated to The Hesston College Labyrinth Project. Individuals may donate a gift to the Labyrinth Project without participating in the run.

A complete weekend schedule and registration information can be found on the Hesston College website at www.hesston.edu or by calling the Special Events Office at 866-437-7866 or 620-327-8109.