Many Austinites will be celebrating Thanksgiving a little early today. The 21st annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing is from 4- 8 p.m. at the Palmer Events Center. The event is free and open to the public. Santa himself is rumored to be making an appearance.
Thousands are expected to attend. So what does it take to feed that many people? H-E-B says there will be:
- 3,000 pounds of turkey
- 2,500 pounds of cornbread dressing
- 750 pumpkin pies
- 380 gallons of mashed potatoes
- 140 gallons of turkey gravy
Capital Metro is giving out some free bus passes to the event. Click here for a list of the grocery stores giving out free day passes. They can only be used today.
There will be free parking at the Palmer Events Center garage. Staff at the Center told KUT News that workers have been setting up since seven this morning.
KUT's Nathan Bernier went to last year's feast and toured the kitchen to see how the cooks prepare such large quantities. Up to 12,000 people attended the event last year. Listen to his story with this player.
http://media.kut.org/sounds/news_00018965/web_Bernier_Feast_of_Sharing.mp3