Thanksgiving Food Shopping, Cat Show and Tree Lighting

1. Do your shopping for Thanksgiving by buying locally. Farmers markets are still taking place in the Sound Shore area. Plenty of fresh seasonal produce and other goodies are still available from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Down to Earth Farmers Market in New Rochelle (North Avenue in front of the high school). This is the last weekend for the New Rochelle market. From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in Larchmont is the Down to Earth Farmers Market held at the Metro-North train station. From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in Rye, the Down to Earth Farmers Market will be held in the parking lot behind Purchase Street stores. Produce available now includes cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and squash. If you don't feel like baking your Thanksgiving pies, it's likely you can buy them at your favorite farmers market.

2. Rain or shine, the 50th Annual Valenti-New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 23. The parade, which begins at North Avenue and Eastchester Road, will feature 10 floats, seven bands and over 40 organizations. Participants will proceed down North Avenue turning right on Main Street and ending at Maple Avenue. The other annual tradition of the day is the Pancake Breakfast held from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the new wing cafeteria at New Rochelle High School, 265 Clove Rd. For more information, go here.

3. The 38th Annual Westchester Cat Show is scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m to 5 p.m., at the Westchester County Center. An array of pedigree cats and kittens will vye for honors, plus there will be a household pet competition. There will also be an Adopt-A-Thon, Meow Marketplace, face painting and guest speakers. The 2013 Cat of the Year, Jake, will also be in attendance. The event costs $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $5 for children ages  5-12. Children under 5 are free.

4. The Cross County Shopping Center, located at 8000 Mall Walk in Yonkers, will host its 5th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration Saturday at 6 p.m. Westchester families are invited to see the lighting of a 40-foot tall Christmas tree and a live holiday concert with the East Coast Band, featuring American Idol finalist Big Mike. Shoppers will also enjoy strolling entertainers, children’s activities, visits with Santa and have the chance to win tickets to Z100 Radio Station’s famed Jingle Ball Concert, held at Madison Square Garden on December 13. 

5. The Girl Scouts of Larchmont-Mamaroneck will be holding their annual Holiday Gift and Craft Fair on Sunday, November 24th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Larchmont Girl Scout House, 90 Harmon Dr. A variety of local vendors will be selling jewelry, clothing, chocolate, soaps, pottery, hostess gifts, knitted wear and more. Girl Scout troops will also be selling hand-made gifts and crafts. Refreshments and baked goods will be available for purchase as well as ingredients to make your own s'mores outside around the campfire. Admission is free and open to the public.