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This year on November 24, 2023 we Opt to go outside during Black Friday. Please see below to find events in your area. If you’d like to participate please fill in the form by clicking the button.
New Smyrna Beach, FL
Happy Wanderers – YRE – Y1129
Start Location: Grace Barck Park – 205 Sapphire Rd.
POC: John McClellan – @
Join the Happy Wanderers for a Black Friday #OptOutside group walk of 6k or 8k in New Smyrna Beach, FL. We’ll start in the parking lot of Grayce Barck Park and head up to the Smyrna Dunes – with fabulous views of the Ponce Inlet and lighthouse. Usually, we’ll see some great wildlife as well – turtles abound! 6k will take the “short” boardwalk and 8k will circle the park. Both walks return on the Beach and back to the start point!
$3.00 per participant, except 12 and under. IVV credit offered. the route(s) covers a portion of the NSB YR 1129 20k route.
Registration: 9:30 AM Walk Start Time: 10:00 AM
Carmel, IN
Indy ‘G’ Walkers – Black Friday – TGW
Start Location: Carmel City Hall, 1 Civic Square Carmel IN 46032
POC: Jim Blessing – @
This is a special Walk, which will allow you plenty of time to tour Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt (a German Christmas market festival) at the conclusion of your walk. You will find more detailed information regarding this festival at the website – click here. There is no fee to enter. Join our meetup group – click here.
Registration: 10:45 am Walk Start Time: 11:00 am
Notre Dame, IN
Hoosier Hikers – YRE MA23/Y0291
Start Location: Walsh Architecture Visitors Lot – 114 Walsh Family Hall of Architecture
POC: Bob Buzolich – @
Experience a brisk day in nature on a serene stroll with the Hoosier Hikers, as they introduce you to the joys of Volkssporting. Along the way, you will encounter many of the historic and culturally significant sites and sights of a world renown university and its grounds.
1) Dress appropriately for the weather. May anticipate cold to cool weather with precipitation of snow possible.
2) Registration required for participation. Cost of registration is $3.
3) Because it is a holiday weekend, there is no charge for parking.
4) Travel to the Start Point begins at the intersection of Angela Boulevard and Eddy Street. Turn onto Eddy to head North. Eddy becomes Saint Andre Way on campus. At the intersection of Saint Andre and Holy Cross Drive, turn right and proceed to the rear of the Walsh Architecture Hall, where you observe Volkssporting banners and signage.
5) Registration may be completed through the online start box at https://my.ava.org, or through the physical start box at the Ivy Court Inn & Suites, 1404 Ivy Court, South Bend, IN, between 8:50 am and 9:20 am.
Registration: 8:50 am (EST) to 9:20 am Walk Start Time: 9:30 am
Strong City, KS
Kansas JayWalkers – YRE – Y1760
Start Location: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve TPNP Visitor Center Information Desk – 2480B KS-177
POC: Lucy Yother – @
Scenic Overlook Trail (10K loop). Starts at N end of Ranch Complex Trail & goes N. You will experience bottomland prairie restoration plots along Fox Creek’s riparian areas. Deep soils & abundant moisture produce 6′ tall grasses in Fall. Southwind Nature Trail (3K loop). A leisurely stroll across hill & valley, watercourse & prairie grassland, gives you a close-up look at what makes up the Preserve. Named for the Kansa Indians, People of the Southwind, this trail presents marvelous vistas as well as an opportunity for detailed looks at the prairie ecosystem. Two overlook areas give you a chance to experience the scenic beauty of the prairie. The trail winds across rolling hills, over a spring-fed stream lined with cottonwood & hackberry trees, & through a fascinating array of grasses & flowers. Along the way is evidence of the insects, birds, & mammals that make the prairie their home. Take your time & notice the gray & white rock, limestone, & steel-tough chert, commonly called “flint,” that gives the name to the hills. Hike to the little one-room school house on the hill & then back to the ranch headquarters. Bottomland Trail (1K & 1K loops (both loops=2K)). This trail traverses land which has experienced many uses; one of the earliest, & most recent, being agricultural. Bottomland is any land adjacent to a waterway & is prime agricultural land, due to sediment runoff. This area is being restored to bottomland prairie & may be viewed on TPNP’s website as it develops. The trail consists of an information trailhead, five interpretive waysides, benches, overlook areas, & fully accessible trail loops. You may pick up a brochure at the ranch headquarters or in the brochure box at the trailhead kiosk to inform you as you walk. So enjoy the trail as you experience a future bottomland prairie restoration while gaining an understanding of its rarity as a natural plant community & its importance in the human history of the Flint Hills.
This is the most unique walk in Kansas!
Registration: 9:45 AM Walk Start Time: 10:00 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 Natural Trail Loop uses trails through conservation land and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, including Authors’ Ridge.
This group walk takes place on Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend.
Registration: 9:45 AM (on SAT) Walk Start Time: 10:00 AM (on SAT)
Fall River, MA
Walk ‘n Mass Volkssport Club – YRE/Y0711
Start Location: Battleship Cove Gift Shop – 5 Water Street
POC: Ann Plichta – @
Walk routes (10km and 6km) include historic neighborhoods, Lizzie Borden’s house, city parks designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, Veterans Bicentennial Park with the Iwo Jima sculpture and the 80% replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, and the boardwalk overlooking Battleship Cove.
Registration: 9:45 AM Walk Start Time: 10:00 AM
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas High Rollers & Strollers – YRE – Y1280
Start Location: La Qunita Inn – 6560 Surrey St
POC: Carl Cordes – @
Considered the “crown jewel” of the Las Vegas Valley Park System. Walk along pathways, ball fields, a fishing lake and historical monuments. Trails are mostly paved with a few stretches of compressed gravel.
Registration: 8:45 AM Walk Start Time: 9:00 AM
Cedar Hill, TX
Dallas Trekkers – YRE – Y3383
Start Location: Cedar Hill State Park – 570 W FM-1382 in Cedar Hill.
POC: Helen Hull – @
Explore the historic Penn Farm established in 1859 and hike along the shore of Joe Pool Lake on its new 5′ wide concrete path and other nature trails.
After paying entry fee into State Park, turn left at the 4-way stop sign, continue about 1/2 mile to the Penn Farm parking lot.
Registration: 8:45 AM Walk Start Time: 9 AM
Pflugerville, TX
Colorado River Walkers – YRE – Y0478
Start Location: Pflugerville Recreation Center Parking Lot – 400 Immanuel RD
POC: Terry Sullivan – @
This is a pretty trail that follows hike-and-bike trails along trails and also visits part of Pflugerville’s historic downtown.
Start will be open 9-11 a.m. in the parking lot of the Recreation Center. Stamp your books in advance and finish at your own pace.
Registration: 9 AM – 11:00 am only Walk Start Time: 9 AM
San Antonio, TX
Randolph Roadrunners – Southside Lions – Trad
Start Location: Southside Lions Park – Southside Lions Loop, Pavilion 2
POC: Ellen Ott – @
Walk a one-mile trail around scenic Lions Park Lake. Take the Southside Lions Park Trail through Texas woods, next to a creek along the Salado Park Greenway. The 5 km turns around at Comanche Park. The 10 km passes through Covington Park and continues a little farther. Then you will retrace your steps back to Southside Lions Park.
The entrance to Southside Lions Park is off Pecan Valley Dr. There will be a hot dog lunch for a small fee.
Registration: 9 AM – Noon Walk Start Time: 9 AM – Noon
Fredericksburg, VA
Fredericksburg Walking Club – YRE – Y1301
Start Location: Old Mill Park – 2201 Caroline Street
POC: Kay Shoemaker – @
After leaving Old Mill Park, the route will take us onto the Canal Path, through a botanic garden and along the Rappahannock River. There are historic plaques to view along the trail, and if we’re lucky, we’ll spot a Bald Eagle. Special Programs: Mayflower (5K),
We will be walking our 6K River Rambles YRE, mostly along paved trails.
Registration: 8:45 AM Walk Start Time: 9:00 AM
Woodbridge, VA
Wood and Dale Wanderers – YRE – Y1163
Start Location: Burger King – 5301 Waterway Dr.
POC: Celia Miner – @
We will walk our Dumfries/Montclair YRE in a suburban setting. Join us for breakfast at 7:30 am.
Can’t walk 10K? No problem. Most of us will walk no more than 5K, and if you need to walk less, feel free. It’s not a competition.
Registration: 7:30 AM Walk Start Time: 8:00 AM
Silverdale, WA
Olympic Peninsula Explorers- YRE – Y1190
Start Location: Silverdale Waterfront Park – 3337 NW Byron St
POC: Clay Baulch – @
This walk explores Old Town, the waterfront, and portions of the Clear Creek Trail.
Join OPE on the left side of Puget Sound!
Registration: 8:45 AM Walk Start Time: 9:00 AM