A Potluck Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate family, friends and community. A Thanksgiving potluck captures the spirit of the holiday, bringing together guests’ unique traditions, stories and personalities, along with their favorite holiday foods. Edible photographer Ashley Swartzendruber gives us an intimate look at one such communal table in Goshen, Indiana.

For several years, a group of our friends in Goshen, Indiana, has been gathering for weekly potluck dinners. For this Thanksgiving meal, we had a table full of artists, entrepreneurs, mothers, fathers, community leaders, urban farmers and potters in a newly renovated event space run by friends who were also at our table. 

The mismatched pottery plates and cups came from everyone’s homes, representing the beautiful abundance of handmade pottery in Goshen. The room was buzzing with laughter and clinking glasses while everyone raved about the different dishes, from the Wild Rice Salad to Savory Pear Galette. 

It was truly a gathering to be thankful for—for our town, for our blessings and for lifelong friendships that started around a table full of food. 

Tips for planning your own potluck Thanksgiving

Veteran potluck organizer Amy Worsham of Goshen, Indiana, offers these tips for planning your own seasonal feast or a casual supper with friends.

Pick a theme. A regional type of food you love is a great way to bring flavors together, or if you’re really creative, try picking a specific food item for everyone to include in their recipes. 

Don’t stress over perfection. When the conversation is great, the food is even better, regardless of what you had hoped the final product would look like.

Simplicity wins at table decor. Take a look in your yard for what’s in bloom and invite some clippings to your table setting. 

Have fun! Everyone will enjoy themselves more when the hosts are relaxed and enjoying themselves, too.

Our Thanksgiving potluck was photographed at Blank Space, Goshen, Indiana’s, fabulous new events venue. Behind Blank Space’s historic facade at 109 E. Lincoln Ave. you’ll find a modern place for gathering, a bar for parties, a kitchen for meals, gadgets for meetings and even a hidden courtyard. BlankSpaceGoshen.com