3 things to know about Dayton’s heartwarming 48-year Thanksgiving tradition

Thousands of Daytonians have gathered together each year to give thanks since 1969.

That’s when Arthur Beerman, the founder of Elder-Beerman Stores Corp., hosted the first Beerman Annual Thanksgiving Dayton Dinner.

After 40 years, the dinner changed sponsorship, and today it’s called the Feast of Giving.

Here are three things to know about the origins of the annual tradition:

1. Grateful to the community. When Beerman suffered a heart attack in 1969, he received mountains of cards from well-wishers. He started the dinner to return thanks to the community.

» READ MORE: How one of Dayton's biggest dinner parties of the year came to be

2. A feast at Hara. The first dinner was held at Wampler's Ball-Arena, later renamed Hara Arena.

3. Turkey and clowns. More than 3,000 people attended the dinner and enjoyed 1,300 pounds of turkey, 500 pies, 90 gallons of gravy and 90 steam pans of dressing. Folks danced to the Hal Harris band and clowns entertained the children.

RELATED:

» Bygone gifts: What Dayton wanted for Christmas a century ago

» Christmas on Campus has transformed UD for more than 50 years

About the Author