What time does Thanksgiving start in Fountain Hills? On the Avenue of the Fountains it starts at 7:15 a.m. That's when the 36th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run & Fitness Walk leaves the start line, just east of Verde River Drive. Santa arrives as the finale of the Chamber's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is listed to run until 11 a.m.
Between those two moments is one continuous morning on one street. Most of what decides how that morning goes for you happens in the days before Nov. 26: registration cutoffs, packet pickup windows and the choice of where to park. Before any of that, the Avenue has its first big weekend of the month.
The Street Gets Its First Test This Weekend
The Fall Fountain Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts runs Friday through Sunday, Nov. 13 to 15, on Avenue of the Fountains. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. The Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce festival FAQ puts the festival along both Saguaro Boulevard and the Avenue, with more than 400 juried artists.
For anyone who lives or runs errands near the park, the closures matter more than the art. The festival information page lists these closures for the event:
- Saguaro Boulevard from E. Palisades Boulevard
- Parkview Avenue from N. Saguaro Boulevard
- Verde River Road from E. Parkview Avenue
Those streets frame the same blocks the Thanksgiving events use two weeks later. This weekend is a good chance to work out a walking route and a parking spot before the holiday.
A few festival details that shape the day, from the Chamber's FAQ:
- Food: Four food courts, plus two VFW beer gardens. The main one is at the Saguaro Food Court and a smaller one is at the Verde River Food Court. Both are 21 and over with valid ID.
- Payment: Artists take different payment methods, and connectivity can be limited, so the Chamber suggests bringing cash.
- Pets: Pets aren't permitted. Service animals are welcome.
- Getting around: There are no shuttles. Mobility scooters can be reserved ahead through Fountain Mobility at 480-320-8577 or Southwest Mobility at 480-654-2292.
One Morning, One Street, Four Hours
On Thursday, Nov. 26, the Avenue hosts two events back to back, run by two different organizers. Fountain Hills Community Services runs the Turkey Trot. The Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce runs the parade. Here's how the morning runs:
- 7:15 a.m.: The Turkey Trot starts on the Avenue of the Fountains just east of Verde River Drive. Runners and walkers choose a timed 5K or a 1.5-mile Fitness Walk, and both routes loop around Fountain Park and the fountain.
- At the finish line: Every 5K and Fitness Walk finisher gets a medal, handed out only at the finish. Medals can't be picked up early or later.
- About 8:15 a.m.: The awards ceremony starts near the start/finish line. Top three men and women in each age group are recognized, in brackets from 12 and under through 80-plus. A Thanksgiving costume contest is part of the morning too.
- 9:30 a.m.: The 42nd Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at Saguaro Boulevard and Parkview Avenue. It turns onto the Avenue of the Fountains, goes up the Avenue and back down to Saguaro, and ends at Saguaro and El Lago Boulevard.
- Finale: Santa makes his first holiday-season appearance in Fountain Hills at the end of the parade.
This year's parade theme is "Happy Birthday America!" The town has held a Thanksgiving parade every year since 1984. The Chamber lists local businesses, veteran groups, classic cars, marching bands, animals, dance routines and motorcycle shows among the entries. Candy can only be handed out at the curb by walkers. Nothing gets thrown from moving floats, and spectators stay on the curb or the median.
The gap between the race awards and the parade's first steps is roughly 75 minutes. If you're running, you can finish, cheer the award winners and walk a few blocks to the parade route without moving your car.
The Deadlines Land Before the Holiday
Since the race and the parade share a morning, the Turkey Trot calendar sets the timeline for anyone in your household who wants to be in it. The town's Turkey Trot event page lays out the dates:
- Through Nov. 15: Standard registration. The 5K is $40, $25 for runners 12 and under, and the Fitness Walk is $25. Tax and processing fees are extra.
- Nov. 16 to 25: Late registration. The 5K is $45, $30 for runners 12 and under, and the Fitness Walk is $30.
- Around Nov. 20: The town expects registration to fill around this date. It filled early last year, and no exceptions are made once it's full.
- Nov. 23 to 25: Swag Snag packet pickup at the Fountain Hills Community Center, 13001 N La Montana Dr. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Monday and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Nov. 26: No race-day registration and no race-day packet pickup. Runners without a bib won't be timed.
You register online through Race Roster. If you'd rather not register from home, you can pay by credit card at the second-floor front desk in Town Hall. Like the festival, the race asks you to leave pets at home.
The Mayor's Challenge is back for runners who want a reason to push. According to the Town of Fountain Hills announcement, Mayor Gerry M. Friedel will give $1 to charity for every runner who finishes faster than he does. Last year the challenge raised more than $12,000 for Extended Hands Food Bank, with local businesses pledging matching donations. In the same release, Senior Recreation Program Coordinator Skylar Thomas said:
"It is a chance for friends, families and visitors to start Thanksgiving with some fun and fresh air."
Where the Car Goes, Twice
Parking works differently for each event, and the Thanksgiving plan has a timing catch.
For the festival weekend, the Chamber's FAQ points to parking near All American Sports Grill, along La Montana Boulevard near the Fountain Hills Post Office, and behind Chase Bank. ADA-accessible parking is available.
On Thanksgiving, the Turkey Trot FAQ recommends the Town Hall and Community Center lot. That lot closes while the race is on and only reopens for exiting traffic once every runner is off the street. For more space, the town suggests Plot 208, behind the businesses on the Avenue of the Fountains. If your family plans to leave right after the 5K, Plot 208 is the safer bet, since you won't be waiting on runners to clear.
The town's Downtown Fountain Hills page says free parking is available throughout downtown's shopping, event and outdoor areas, and it links to a parking map that's useful to check before either weekend.
Between the Finish Line and the Floats
The parade route is lined with restaurants, so a break between events is often just a short walk. These spots are on or close to the route:
- On the Avenue: SOFRITA at 16848 E Avenue of the Fountains. Papaya'z, a breakfast, lunch and brunch spot at 16845 E Avenue of the Fountains, Suite D105. Snowbird Ice Cream Co at 16725 E Avenue of the Fountains, Suite C-109.
- On Parkview Avenue, where the parade starts: Parkview Tap House Bar & Grill at 16828 E Parkview Ave. Sun Baked Food 4 The Soul, with baked treats and breakfast, brunch and lunch, at 16842 E Parkview Ave., #1.
- On Saguaro Boulevard: Arrivederci Cucina Italiana at 12645 N Saguaro Blvd., #1. Grapeables Wine Bar & Lounge at #9 in the same complex. Streets of New York at #11. Alexander's Greek Kitchen is a bit north at 13014 N Saguaro Blvd., #101.
Streets of New York will be a new stop for some festivalgoers this year. KTAR reported last December that it was moving into the former Euro Café Pizza & Bar space, and the new location opened in mid-December 2025. For coffee and pastry a little off the route, Cafe Bliss is at 16425 E Palisades Blvd., #101.
Thanksgiving hours are up to each restaurant, so call ahead before you plan a post-parade brunch around one.
After Santa, the Avenue Lights Up
The Avenue gets about a week off after the parade. Stroll in the Glow is Saturday, Dec. 5. The Avenue lights come on around 5:45 p.m., and a balloon glow runs at Fountain Park from 6 to 8 p.m. If you learned the parking map at the festival and the parade route on Thanksgiving, you'll already know how to get around that night.
If relatives come for the parade and start wondering what it would be like to live within walking distance of it, I'm glad to talk it through. I can show you which streets sit closest to the Avenue and send video tours to family watching from out of state. When you're ready, reach out to Kerri Dewaters and we'll set up a time. Start your move by requesting a free consultation.
