Counting the blessings of the Cape Region

Congratulations to the team who launched Racing through the Show, a run and walk through a new-this-year Christmas light display at Cape Henlopen State Park.

The event drew thousands, including scores of families as well as families of coworkers, all gathered at the park at dusk, enjoying a much-needed moment of togetherness, community and camaraderie. As the sky darkened and stars appeared, the run kicked off to a chorus of Jingle Bells.

The light display – a nostalgic look back combined with a nod to high tech – continues through New Year's Day, part of Winter Wonderfest. Organizers say the festival, in its first year, offers opportunities for families to build new, wintertime memories while raising funds to meet health, educational, cultural and environmental needs in the Cape Region.

There is more to come at the ferry terminal, starting this weekend with live entertainment, ice skating and a Ferris wheel along with a fire pit and s'mores.

To add encouragement to get outdoors over the Thanksgiving break, on Friday, Nov. 25, visitors to Delaware's state parks pay no entrance fees.

It's a chance for everyone to opt outside on Black Friday to enjoy the magnificent deals our shoreline, forests, marshes and waterways offer.

Delaware State Parks offer more than 100 miles of trails statewide to bike, run, walk and explore – many miles of which loop from Lewes to Rehoboth Beach, with plenty of opportunities along the way for birdwatching and enjoying the beauty of our coastal marshes. And with temperatures expected to warm up again by Friday, kayakers and canoers may be out enjoying fall foliage reflected on quiet waters.

All this means anyone who finds family, food and football getting to be too much, and the shopping malls getting too crowded, has plenty of ways to get outdoors, get active and enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty that draw so many to the Cape Region in the first place.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.