Monday, November 14, 2011

Thanksgiving is starting early this year with the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s annual “Wagsgiving” feast from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17. Each year, thousands of students line up for blocks to share the warmth and community of the holidays with their friends before Thanksgiving break.

Students will savor 1,500 lbs. of local “Carolina” turkey and 120 lbs. of “Tofurkey”, 800 lbs. of mashed potatoes, 500 lbs. of stuffing and 500 pies, at the dinner, named “Wagsgiving” in honor of the holiday and Wagoner Dining Hall. Buzz across campus begins months in advance for what they call the “hands down, best meal of the year.” Some will garner or create their own Thanksgiving attire in celebration of the popular UNC Wilmington tradition.

Live trucks and reporters are invited to join the festivities or preview the extravaganza with coverage of food preparation. Please call below media contact so accommodations can be made.

Employees will arrive as early as 4:30 a.m. the day of the event to begin food preparations, which will start on Wednesday. More than 60 Campus Dining employees will serve more than 4,000 students, faculty and staff. Community members are invited to join the fun for the off-meal plan price of $9.69 plus tax. The only requirement is to arrive with an appetite.

Wagsgiving fanatics will begin to line up by 3 p.m. They can enjoy a mini carnival including games, giveaways and live music by Nautilus, a UNCW student band, while they wait.

Check out Twitter hash tag #wagsgiving or visit the Wagsgiving Facebook page for more info: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=268197879890016

Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW media relations, 910.632.3903 or davisjc@uncw.edu