Looking to spice up your bar’s Thanksgiving events? Here’s a quick rundown of 10 fun Thanksgiving trivia facts to engage your patrons and boost sales:
- The First Thanksgiving Lasted 3 Days: It wasn’t a one-day feast – 1621’s celebration stretched over three days.
- No Turkey on the Original Menu: Venison, wild fowl, and squash were the stars of the first Thanksgiving meal.
- Lincoln Made Thanksgiving a Holiday: President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863.
- Turkey Pardons Began in 1947: President Harry Truman started the tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey.
- "Jingle Bells" and Thanksgiving?: Though often linked to Christmas, "Jingle Bells" has a loose Thanksgiving connection.
- Butterball Hotline’s 100,000+ Calls: Their Turkey Talk-Line helps home cooks with turkey troubles every year.
- Macy’s Parade Started with Zoo Animals: The first parade in 1924 featured live animals, not balloons.
- Buffalo’s Turkey Trot: One of the earliest races, this event started in Buffalo, New York.
- Thanksgiving Football Since 1876: Football games have been a holiday tradition for nearly 150 years.
- Four U.S. Cities Named "Turkey": There are four cities in the U.S. officially named "Turkey."
Use these facts to create themed trivia questions, unique menu items, or engaging bar promotions. For more trivia ideas, check out Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or subscribe to the Weekly Trivia Subscription Service.
Trivia Time: How well do you know Thanksgiving?
1. The Original Thanksgiving Lasted 3 Days
Here’s an interesting tidbit: The 1621 Thanksgiving celebration, often seen as the first, wasn’t just a one-day event. It stretched over three days! This extended gathering laid the groundwork for the Thanksgiving tradition we know today.
Trivia Question:
Q: How long did the first Thanksgiving celebration last?
A: Three days
If you’re a bar owner, consider turning this fun fact into a promotion. How about a "Three-Day Feast Flight" featuring seasonal drinks to keep the celebration going?
For more Thanksgiving trivia, check out Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or explore the Weekly Trivia Subscription Service.
2. First Thanksgiving Menu Didn’t Feature Turkey
Surprisingly, turkey wasn’t the centerpiece of the 1621 feast. According to historical accounts, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag primarily enjoyed venison, wild fowl, pumpkins, and squash.
Trivia Question:
Q: What was the main meat served at the first Thanksgiving?
A: Venison (deer meat)
This historical twist is a great way to spark conversations and add a unique flair to your Thanksgiving event. If you’re a bar owner, consider using this fun fact to inspire themed offerings. Create a ‘First Feast’ cocktail using seasonal flavors like cranberry, pumpkin, or apple. Or host a ‘Historical Happy Hour’ featuring colonial-style drinks to keep the theme going.
Want more fun facts to keep your guests intrigued? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs for a full set of conversation starters. You can also subscribe to our Weekly Trivia Subscription Service for year-round entertainment ideas.
3. Lincoln Established Thanksgiving in 1863
During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. On October 3, 1863, he issued a proclamation setting the last Thursday of November as a day for giving thanks.
Trivia Question:
Q: Which U.S. President made Thanksgiving a national holiday?
A: Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln’s proclamation came at a time when the nation was deeply divided. His goal was to encourage unity and reflection during one of the most challenging periods in American history.
This historical tidbit can inspire creative promotions for bar owners. For example, you could offer a "Lincoln’s Legacy" cocktail – a bourbon-based drink that nods to Kentucky’s bourbon heritage and its role in the Union during the Civil War. Or, create a "Unity Menu" featuring dishes that combine flavors from Northern and Southern cuisine. These ideas can add a unique twist to your trivia night.
Looking to keep your trivia nights engaging? Our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs include facts about presidential traditions and proclamations. Plus, our Weekly Trivia Subscription Service ensures you always have fresh content for your events.
4. Presidential Turkey Pardons Started in 1947
The tradition of the White House turkey pardon began in 1947 with President Harry Truman.
Trivia Question:
Q: Which U.S. President started the tradition of pardoning Thanksgiving turkeys?
A: President Harry Truman in 1947
Add a fun twist to your Thanksgiving celebrations with a "Presidential Pardon" theme. Serve a "Wild Turkey Bourbon" cocktail alongside turkey wing appetizers, or organize a lighthearted mock pardoning ceremony to entertain guests.
Take it a step further by offering a "Presidential Menu" featuring dishes inspired by the White House and signature drinks named after former presidents.
Looking for more trivia and themed ideas? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or subscribe to our Weekly Trivia Subscription Service for fresh content every week.
5. The Thanksgiving Connection to "Jingle Bells"
There’s a story floating around that "Jingle Bells" – a song we all associate with Christmas – might have been tied to Thanksgiving at some point. However, historical records don’t back up the idea that it was originally written for Thanksgiving.
Fun Fact:
Q: What famous holiday song is sometimes linked to Thanksgiving, even though there’s no solid evidence?
A: "Jingle Bells"
This little mystery makes for a great trivia question. You could even host a "Name That Holiday Tune" game and offer a fun prize, like a themed cocktail called "The Jingle Bell."
Looking for more trivia inspiration? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or sign up for our Weekly Trivia Subscription Service at cheaptrivia.com.
sbb-itb-4c464a8
6. Butterball Hotline Handles Over 100,000 Calls Each Year
Every Thanksgiving, Butterball’s Turkey Talk-Line fields more than 100,000 calls from home cooks looking for advice. Whether it’s figuring out thawing times or handling frozen turkey emergencies, this hotline is a treasure trove of Thanksgiving trivia and a perfect conversation starter at your bar.
Fun Fact:
Q: How many calls does the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line handle during Thanksgiving?
A: Over 100,000 calls every year
Use these common questions about thawing, cooking temperatures, and frozen turkey mishaps to create a fun ‘Turkey Trouble’ trivia round.
Looking for more holiday-themed trivia? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or sign up for our Weekly Trivia Service.
7. Macy’s First Parade Used Real Zoo Animals
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade looked very different back in 1924. Known then as Macy’s Christmas Parade, it featured live animals borrowed from a local zoo instead of the massive helium balloons we associate with the event today.
Trivia Question:
Q: What replaced the live animals in the parade?
A: Giant helium balloons, with Felix the Cat making his debut as the first character in 1927.
Looking for more holiday trivia? Check out CheapTrivia for Thanksgiving-themed trivia packs or subscribe to the Weekly Trivia Service to keep the fun going. This unique bit of parade history is a great conversation starter for your next event!
8. Buffalo Hosted First Turkey Trot Race
Buffalo, New York, is home to one of the earliest Turkey Trot races in the United States. This event became a symbol of community spirit and athleticism, influencing Turkey Trot traditions across the country.
Trivia Question:
Q: Which city is recognized for hosting one of the earliest Turkey Trot races in the United States?
A: Buffalo, New York.
This historic race adds a unique chapter to Thanksgiving’s story. Looking for more holiday-themed trivia? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or subscribe to our Weekly Trivia Subscription Service to keep your events lively all year round.
9. Thanksgiving Football Started in 1876
Thanksgiving football has been around since 1876, making it one of the oldest holiday traditions in the U.S. It’s also a great topic for trivia nights at bars.
Trivia Question:
Q: In what year did the Thanksgiving football tradition begin?
A: 1876
Bars that combine football viewing with trivia often see a big jump in customer interest. For instance, Brandie, General Manager of The 1762 At The Warwick Hotel, shared:
"Our trivia nights have been a huge boost to our Thursday evenings. Our community loves it, and we’ve seen an almost 300% increase in sales. Highly recommend!"
Want to make your trivia night stand out? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or sign up for our Weekly Trivia Subscription Service.
10. Four U.S. Cities Named "Turkey"
Here’s a fun fact to wrap things up: there are exactly four cities in the United States officially named "Turkey."
Trivia Question:
Q: How many U.S. cities are officially named "Turkey"?
A: Four
Want more Thanksgiving-themed trivia? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or sign up for our Weekly Trivia Subscription Service.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving trivia nights are a fantastic way to engage your audience and drive sales. Brandie, a General Manager, shares her experience:
"Our trivia nights have been a huge boost to our Thursday evenings. Our community loves it, and we’ve seen an almost 300% increase in sales. Highly recommend!"
Keep your patrons coming back with our Weekly Trivia Subscription, offering 40+ questions every week in various formats. Bring some extra energy to your venue with exclusive trivia content designed to entertain and impress.
Want to make your venue the go-to spot? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or start your Weekly Trivia Subscription today!
