In preparation for the biggest eating day of the year, those in Vicksburg will be given the opportunity to take to the streets for a pre-Thanksgiving race this weekend in support of a good cause.

The first ever Jacob’s Ladder Learning Center Turkey Trot 5K run, walk and a one mile fun run will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday starting at the Mutual Credit Union, 1604 Cherry St., parking lot on Quinns Alley between Cherry and Monroe streets.

“I’m looking forward to a great turnout,” director and teacher Rebecca Busby said. “It’s going to be fun. We’re going to have a really good time. It’s for a good cause. It’s to support the school.”

Racers can register online at raceroster.com/10276 until 1 p.m. Friday or in person at Jacob’s Ladder, 1017 Harrison St., until 7 p.m. Friday. Race packet pickup will also be at the school until 7 p.m. Friday. Registration will be open an hour before the race Saturday morning starting at 7 a.m. Entry is $30 for runners, $25 for walkers and free for the fun run.

“Since we’re a nonprofit, we receive our funding through donations and fundraisers,” Busby said. “We’ve taken on a new project this year — ceramics. So our fundraisers are going to go to day-to-day operating costs of the school and to support the ceramics program, too.”

The race will start on Monroe and head south until the road changes to Drummond where racers will then go east on Belmont for a block before taking a south turn on Cherry.

The route continues east on Chambers through Glenwood Circle and back around to Belmont before taking Washington to the end.

After the race, participants will be treated to an after party in the Mutual Credit Union parking lot with light refreshments and music provided by a local disc jockey who is a Warren Central student. An award ceremony will be held for the top finishers in the different gender and age groups. Students from Jacob’s Ladder will present the special trophies to the winners.

“The awards are ceramics that have been painted by our students,” Busby said. “We’re excited for everyone to see that.”

The school isn’t only receiving support, its also giving back. Canned goods will be collected at the race and donated to the Storehouse Community Food Pantry.

“We want to do our part and give back to the community that gives so much to us,” Busby said.

She hopes the race will become an annual event.

“I’m just thankful for all the support that we’ve gotten from all our friends in the community so far,” Bubsy said. “We’re looking forward to everybody coming together for one cause.”