Thanksgiving is one of America’s most cherished holidays, filled with family, food, and traditions we hold dear. But have you ever considered how much we rely on the energy industry to make this special day possible? From the turkey on your table to the way you get to Grandma’s house, oil and natural gas power the holiday in more ways than you might think.

Here are just a few ways energy fuels our Thanksgiving celebrations:

1. Traveling to Loved Ones

Flying? The day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year. In fact, about 5.84 million passengers are expected to fly with U.S. airlines over the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period. Thanks to petroleum-based jet fuel, those planes are ready to take off.

Driving? If you’re hitting the road, you’ll join 72.7 million Americans traveling an average of 550 miles. The U.S.’s robust oil production ensures there’s plenty of gasoline to get everyone home for the holidays.

2. Cooking the Feast

Americans cook up 46 million turkey-based meals every Thanksgiving, requiring about 644 million kilowatt-hours of energy—enough to power a laptop for 600 days!

And don’t forget the other staples: Baking a single pumpkin pie uses around 2 kWh of energy, which could light up an LED lamp for 12 days.

3. Keeping Food Fresh

Before cooking, most turkeys and ingredients are stored in refrigerators or freezers. These appliances, powered by oil and natural gas, ensure your meal stays fresh and safe to eat.

4. The Iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The annual parade in New York City draws 3.5 million attendees and 50 million TV viewers. Those incredible floats and giant balloons rely on polyurethane (made from oil and natural gas) and helium to take center stage.

As you gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, take a moment to appreciate the unseen energy behind the celebration. Whether you’re traveling, cooking, or watching the parade, Louisiana’s oil and natural gas industries help make it all possible.

This holiday season, let’s give thanks for the energy that powers our traditions and keeps us connected. Happy Thanksgiving from LMOGA!