Saturday will be a great day for a parade, and what better parade for Sampsonians to attend than the one that will kick off in Turkey.

The now annual Turkey Day parade is a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season in a town that, well, easily reminds one of a holiday just by its name.

So spending Turkey Day in the little eastern Sampson County town would be fitting.

Now in its 22nd year, the parade and the assundry activities that will go on throughout the day — including a barbecue pork and chicken dinner, a raffle, a penny social and arts and crafts — is the major fund-raising event for the town’s fire department.

Like the Hollerin’ Contest in Spivey’s Corner each year, the Turkey Day Parade and all the events that will go along with it help raise needed money for a vital department. In every way we can, we should try to support it.

That’s particularly true for all those who are residents of Turkey, but it’s just as true for Sampsonians from one end of the county to another. As we’ve said many times on this page, it’s important for us to celebrate one another and to lend a hand to our neighbors.

What’s more, this is a great way to spend what forecasters are saying will be nice day, weather-wise. It is expected to be partly sunny, with a slight chill in the air. The skies will be blue. It will be a great way to enjoy a day like that — outside, with family and friends, watching a parade, meandering through the arts and crafts and eating a little barbecue.

So when you are considering what to do with your Saturday, consider spending a few hours of it in Turkey.

You’ll have a good time, you’ll likely get into the holiday spirit, you’ll enjoy the food and the crafts and, at the same time, you’ll be supporting a very worthwhile cause — the fire department.

This parade, like so many of the activities offered in Sampson County each year, is something worth devoting a little of our time to.

So get out and enjoy. We think you’ll be glad you did.