Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Walking Club – YRE – Y0246

Start Location: Downtown YMCA – 207 N. Nevada

POC: Rita Jones – @

There are some new exhibits of the Art on the Street program along the trail, and there are numerous stores and restaurants that will be having Black Friday specials.

Special programs are: Labyrinths, Par for the Course, Step to the Beat, Rails to Trails, Walking with America’s Veterans, and Town Halls/City Halls.

Registration:  9:30 AM – 12:00 PM      Walk Start Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

New Smyrna Beach, FL

Happy Wanderers – YRE – Y1129

Start Location: Grayce Barck Park – 1098-1000 N Peninsula Ave.

POC: John McClellan – @

Join the Happy Wanderers for our #OptOutside after Thanksgiving event in the Smyrna Dunes, NSB. Register on-site between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. for a GROUP WALK of 6k or 8k.

Smyrna Dunes Park is a 184-acre inlet park along the southern shoreline of Ponce de Leon Inlet. The park has over 2 miles of wide, elevated, handicapped-accessible boardwalk capped with recycled lumber that is both comfortable and durable. Multiple scenic overlooks allow breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian River and Ponce de Leon Inlet.

We’ll meet in the parking area along N. Peninsula Ave. and Sapphire Rd.

IVV credit will be available, as this walk is along a portion of the NSB YRE 20km route. $4.00 event fee.

Registration:  9:30 AM       Walk Start Time:  10:00 AM

LaPorte, IN

HOOSIER HIKERS – TRAD

Start Location: Ron Reed Field Parking at Fox Park – 401 Truesdell Avenue

POC: BOB BUZOLICH – @

Enjoy a walk with the Hoosier Hikers, as they recognize #OptOutSide with a Group Guided Walk through a historic and notable town in North Central Indiana at the start of the Holiday Season. Along a five-kilometer (three mile) route or a 10- kilometer (six mile) route, the Hoosier Hikers will lead you through downtown LaPorte and surrounding neighborhoods to marvel at the architecture of a bygone era, as well as take inspiration from public art depicting the community’s past, present and future. A bonus is passing through a traditional Mid-America downtown area as the community prepares for the Holiday season. Hope to see you on the trail.

1) Participation in this event requires registration, which does involve a $4 fee.
2) NO restroom available at the Start/Finish Point. Some retailers nearby or along the route have public restrooms available.
3) Dress for the weather. Climate conditions toward the end of November may be cold, windy and damp with the possibility of fog, drizzle and/or rain or snow.
4) Additional information for this event may be found at the following links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/120770579366588/events or https://my.ava.org/event-view.php?sn=131481.

Registration:  9:00 (CST) AM       Walk Start Time:  9:30 (CST) AM

Noblesville, IN

Indy G Walkers – YRE – Y0164

Start Location: Riverview Hospital, Women’s Pavilion (Entrance # 3) – 355 Westfield Rd

POC: Cliff Terry – @

Work off your Thanksgiving meal with a walk in beautiful Noblesville, IN. The route wanders on some new trails but also includes favorites like the town square, county courthouse, gorgeous Forest Park, and the scenic White River Greenway Trail

Registration:  10:00 AM       Walk Start Time:  10:15 AM

Strong City, KS

Kansas Jay Walkers – YRE – Y1760

Start Location: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center Information Desk – 24808 KS-177

POC: Lucy Yother – @

Preserve protects a nationally significant example of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Preserve has nearly 11,000 acres to be explored. 

Trail shoes are recommended. 

Registration:  9:45 AM       Walk Start Time:  10:00 AM

Lansing, MI

Washtenaw Wanderers – YRE – Y0953

Start Location: Michigan Historical Center – 702 W. Kalamazoo St

POC: Roxie Weaver – @

The route begins in downtown Lansing & travels past many of the buildings in the State Office Complex (including the restored century-old State Capitol building); through the campus of Lansing Community College; through historic neighborhoods, and along the Grand River Trail. The capital and downtown Lansing decorate for the holidays, so join us for a festive walk.

Meet us at the entrance to the Michigan Historical Center. It will not be open – so please register on the OSB if possible or you can register with us before you walk if you don’t do the OSB.

Registration:  10:45 – 11:00 AM        Walk Start Time:  11:00 AM

St. Paul, MN

Twin Cities Volkssport – YRE – Y3435

Start Location: Fort Snelling State Park – 101 Snelling Lake Rd

POC: Wayne Heath – @

Fort Snelling is one of Minnesota’s top 10 tourist attractions. It is adjacent to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife refuge and where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers join. Wildlife including deer, fox, wild turkeys’ otter, and beaver. Also, different species of waterfowl, songbirds, owls, and bald Eagles are plentiful.

Opt out, black Friday is free day at Minnesota State Parks, so no pass is required.

Registration:  9:00 – 9:00 AM        Walk Start Time:  10:15 AM

Laurel, MD

Freestate Happy Wanderers – YRE – Y0219

Start Location: McCullough Field Parking Lot – 499 8th St

POC: Rita Goerling – @

This is a 5K group walk rated 1A touring the Historic District of Laurel. See ruins of the Laurel Factory Dam, Laurel Park Riverwalk and highlights of Main St. The group will meet for Lunch afterward.

Registration:  10:00 – 10:15 AM        Walk Start Time:  10:15 AM

Concord, MA

Walk ‘N Mass Volkssport Club – YRE – Y0223

Start Location: Walgreens – 71 Lowell Road

POC: Miriam Boucher – @

Two 5km loops. The North Bridge Loop includes the Minute Man National Historical Park, The Old Manse, the Colonial Inn, Monument Square, the historic First Parish Church, Concord Museum and Emerson House. The Orchard House Loop goes through downtown Concord and stately neighborhoods to the Louisa May Alcott Orchard House and the Concord Museum before returning to downtown, Monument Square and the Colonial Inn. An award depicting the Minute Man statue crossing the Old North Bridge is available.

THIS GROUP WALK IS ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29. Meet at the picnic table in front of the Walgreens.

Registration:  9:45 AM        Walk Start Time:  10:00 AM

Fall River, MA

Walk ‘N Mass Volkssport Club – YRE – Y0711

Start Location: Work Out World (WOW!) – 18 Pocasset Street

POC: Ann Plichta – @

Walk routes (10km and 5km) include historic neighborhoods, a downtown area filled with enticing smells from Portuguese bakeries and restaurants, Lizzie Borden’s house, city parks designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (a copy of the Statue of Liberty, dedicated by the Boy Scouts of America, is at Kennedy Park), Veterans Bicentennial Park with the Iwo Kima sculpture and the 80% replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, and the boardwalk overlooking Battleship Cove.

From parking lot, cross the street to enter WOW! building under the black canopy and proceed down two flights of stairs. WOW! is on the ground floor. Meet at the front desk.

Registration:  9:45 AM        Walk Start Time:  10:00 AM

Hershey, PA

Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club – YRE – Y3526

Start Location: Karnes Foods – 731 Cherry Drive

POC: William Rhoat – @

The trail is on natural and paved surfaces starting at Schiavoni Park. The trail will go through the small town of Hummelstown.

After registration, you will drive 4.6 miles to Schiavoni Park.

Registration:  8:30 – 9:30 AM        Walk Start Time:  9:00 AM

Dallas, TX

Dallas Trekkers – YRE – 0070

Start Location: Trader Joe’s – 4525 Cole Ave

POC: Deborah Carter – @

Enjoy the parks along Turtle Creek and passing beautiful homes and mansions along the sidewalks of Highland Park. We’ll also pass the Town Administration Bldg. (Police & Fire Depts.), and walk through Highland Park Village. FYI: Highland Park is its own city within Dallas city limits.

There is a free parking garage to the right of Trader Joe’s. At Trader Joe’s on Cole Ave. (one way street), turn right and enter the parking garage and the down ramp. There is also parking behind On the Border and behind Starbucks (on Knox).

Registration:  8:45 AM       Walk Start Time:  9:00 AM

San Antonio, TX

San Antonio Pathfinders – TRAD

Start Location: Pearsall Park – 5102 Old Pearsall Rd

POC: Ellen Ott – @

Part of the Howard Peak Greenway Trail System. The park offers multiple trails that do not cross City streets or park roads. Other features in the park include a splash pad, skate park, and disc golf. Health Trail equipment is located by Park and Play Structures. Bring the kids! A unique art installation is the primitive domed structure associated with Native Americans of the Southwest – a place to rest that honors the historic presence of indigenous peoples and their light footprint on the land. (From the Pearsall Park website.)

Join the San Antonio Pathfinders for Opt-Outdoor Day for a walk in the park and on the linear trail and for food and fun.  Stay for a free hotdog!! Bring a chair if you plan to stay. Click here for flyer. 

Registration:  9:00 – 11:00 AM       Walk Start Time:  9:00 AM

Fredericksburg, VA

Fredericksburg Walking Club – YRE – Y1301

Start Location: Old Mill Park – 2201 Caroline St.

POC: Roger Carr – @

Walk the Heritage Trail and Canal Path along Snowden wetlands, and botanical garden with great views of the Rappahannock River.

Registration:  9:15 AM        Walk Start Time:  9:30 AM

Seattle, WA

FS Family Wanderers – YRE – Y0596

Start Location: 7-11 Store – 2429 Harbor Ave SW

POC: Michelle Roberts – @

Walk on city sidewalks along Alki Beach on Puget Sound. Enjoy views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, the Olympic mountains, and the Seattle skyline. You can watch Washington State ferries sail to Bremerton and Bainbridge Island and the foot ferry to Seattle. The 10K route continues past a monument to Seattle’s birthplace to the Log House Museum, Constellation Park on Beach Drive and the Alki Point Lighthouse. As you return to the start, look at the waterfront to left of main downtown and you can see the Terminal 86 Grain Facility. Restrooms along beach. Oregon Peace Pole challenge – 10K only, in front of Log House Museum.

After registering, you will drive approximately 1/2 mile (to near Salty’s restaurant) where we will start walking.
5K and 10K, both rated 1A.

Registration:  9:45 AM        Walk Start Time:  10:00 AM

Silverdale, WA

Olympic Peninsula Explorers – YRE – Y3625

Start Location: Silverdale Waterfront Park – 3337 NW Byron St

POC: Clay Baulch – @

Walk the urban trails of Silverdale with OPE as we work off the comestible joy from the previous day. 5 & 10 km routes are available. If you get the itch, shopping is tantalizingly near. Come join our group for our Black Friday stroll!

Registration:  9:15 – 9:30 AM        Walk Start Time:  9:30 AM