YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS TO UNVEIL WINNING DESIGN FOR 2021 TURKEY TROT T-SHIRT AUG. 7 AT THANKS-GIVING SQUARE
DALLAS (Aug. 4, 2021)—The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas will unveil the highly-anticipated design of the 2021 Turkey Trot participant t-shirt during a celebratory event on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 10-11:30 a.m. in downtown Dallas. Hosted by Turkey Trot sponsor Thanks-Giving Square, the celebratory event is free to the community and will feature a short program to recognize the winning artist, music, food trucks and photo opportunities with the YMCA Turkey Trot mascots. The Dallas Y encourages people to attend dressed in their favorite Turkey Trot T-shirt from the past.
The YMCA hosted a community-wide contest to determine the design for the official 2021 Turkey Trot T-shirt, which serves as an exciting keepsake for the more than 20,000 annual participants. More than 30 artists submitted designs, which were narrowed to a group of seven which the public voted to get to a finalist group of three. The three finalists received over 2,800 votes to pick this year’s winning design.
“The Turkey Trot’s legacy is founded in community, so involving the public in our signature t-shirt design through a contest was a natural fit,” said Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “The Turkey Trot is a family tradition, and the way Dallas starts Thanksgiving. We’re excited to host this year’s event, bring people together and showcase this artist’s work in a unique way. We’re grateful to Thanks-Giving Square for their support and generosity in hosting this first-of-its-kind event for us. We would not be able to hold the Trot and support our community without our sponsors that are featured on the back of the official T-shirt.”
Visitors can take the DART to the Akard Station or find parking on the streets near Thanks-Giving Square or at any of several nearby public parking garages. The program and unveiling will be streamed via Facebook Live on the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot Facebook page for those who are unable to attend.
“The theme of this year’s Turkey Trot is ‘Thankful Together,’ which aligns beautifully with our mission at Thanks-Giving Square to bring the community together in gratitude through our physical space and our programming,” said Kyle Ogden, President and CEO of Thanks-Giving Square. “We’re honored to support the YMCA by hosting this exciting event.”
Registration is now open for the 54th annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot, a tradition that takes place annually on Thanksgiving Day morning – this year, on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Participants can choose to run or walk the race in-person in Downtown Dallas on Thanksgiving Day, or virtually from their neighborhood or anywhere across the country. Proceeds support the YMCA’s Community Health programs that help families dealing with diabetes, nutritional challenges and weight loss struggles. To sign up for the in-person or virtual option, visit www.thetrot.org.
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves thousands of men, women and children each year, regardless of age, income or background. Anchored in 21 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The Y ensures all people have equitable access to the essentials needed to become thriving members of the community. Daily, the Y bridges and fills individual and community needs as a catalyst for impactful change. The YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with three areas of focus: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. To learn more or get involved in improving our local communities, have opportunities to make an impact and support your neighbors, please visit us at www.ymcadallas.org.
About Thanks-Giving Square
Founded in 1964, Thanks-Giving Square is a contemplation garden, meeting hall and interfaith chapel nestled in the heart of downtown Dallas. Since its inception, the Square has been an aspirational expression of what Dallas could be: a diverse community brought together around a shared commitment to be the City of Thanks-Giving, a city filled with connection, inclusion, goodwill and gratitude; a city that chooses love over hate. Powered by the Thanks-Giving Foundation, Thanks-Giving Square seeks to convene and activate an engaged community that works in harmony to build better individuals and a better city by creating events, programs and convenings that educate, celebrate and inspire. To learn more about Thanks-Giving Square, visit thanksgiving.org.