Thanksgiving Rundown: 5 events for your break

. Thanksgiving turkey being carved at Southside. (Jake McLernon)

No time to look through Today @ Mason or sift through Facebook event invitations? We've got you covered. Here are some Thanksgiving related events for the week to consider placing on your Google Calendar or iCal. (Or your traditional paper planner).  Happy Thanksgiving!

Film screening provides new insight into the lives of the Pilgrims

Housing and Residence Life will be showing “Desperate Crossing: The True Story of the Mayflower” this Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Eisenhower multipurpose room.  “We wanted to offer students an interesting and educational opportunity,” said Lauren Mauriello, resident student program coordinator with the Office of Housing and Residence Life.  The film, a docu-drama, is a History Channel presentation that offers a look at these early American colonists that viewers might not have been aware of.  Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

Thanksgiving Day Parade viewing parties to be held at two locations

Housing and Residence Life will also be holding viewing parties for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thanksgiving morning in two locations, Eisenhower room G101 at 8:30 a.m., and the Northern Neck multipurpose room at 9 a.m.  Breakfast refreshments, including pancakes, will be provided.

Thanksgiving Dinner to be provided to on-campus residents

Thanksgiving Dinners will be held in three locations on campus on Thursday, Nov 24: Eisenhower Hall room G102 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Northern Neck multipurpose room from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Hanover Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Food will be provided by local caterers including Honeybaked Ham and Boston Market.  The dinners are open to all on-campus students.

Black Friday shopping trip to give residents a head start on holiday shopping

Mason is providing free transportation to the Leesburg Premium Outlets for the first 52 students to arrive at room G101 of Eisenhower Hall between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.  Students are encouraged to bring friends, as the Leesburg Outlets will provide free lunch if more than 20 people attend.  The bus will depart for its return to campus at 3 p.m.  Questions can be directed towards Jana Fryman at jfryman@gmu.edu.

Gift wrapping party to allow students to socialize while preparing their gifts

Housing and Residence Life will be holding a gift wrapping party in the Piedmont multipurpose room on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m.  Residents can bring their holiday gifts, and they will be provided with all the wrapping paper they need to prepare them.