Hundreds of people gobbled up a home cooked meal in Cottam to celebrate American Thanksgiving Thursday.
It's the 72nd year for the Cottam American Turkey Dinner and Event Chair Rick Mayea tells CTV Windsor it started as a way to provide some comfort for US neighbours that have been visiting the area for decades.
"Long ago we had a lot of American cottagers that used to be here looking for something to do on the Thursday of their American Thanksgiving, so we said hey why not put together a meal and it just blossomed from there," he says.
People come from all over Windsor-Essex, he added.
"We get people from all over Windsor, Belle River, Wheatley, they come in here and they've been coming here for years and years and years," says Mayea. "I've talked to some people who have been coming here for more than 30-years and that's quite a dedication and we do appreciate it."
Marilee Matte is American, and she tells CTV Windsor the dinner helps keep her Thanksgiving tradition alive and well.
"We live close by and this is my son's church and I'm an American and I don't get Thanksgiving dinner much because my family is out of town. I love it," she says.
Organizers say at least 1,300 people came out to feast, but they were prepared to serve more.
All proceeds go to help local food banks and other initiatives at Cottam United Church.
— with files from CTV Windsor's Chris Campbell.