In 2017, the
McMinnville Chamber of Commerce promoted Turkey Rama as “one of McMinnville's
oldest and most loved traditions!"
In 2018, the
Chamber website calls Turkey Rama, “Our Beloved Tradition.”
The July 4, 2017,
print edition of the McMinnville N-R/News-Register broke the news that Turkey Rama’s signature
event, the World’s Largest Turkey BBQ at Wortman Park, a “mouth-watering nod to
the county’s former status as the state’s largest turkey producer” will “not
offer sit-down meals this year. Organizers framed those as cost-cutting moves.”
In 2017, turkey was
barbecued at Wortman, but “Sorry, no turkey meals this year,” said the Chamber.
The July 7, 2017,
N-R online said, “While full meals will not be sold this year, barbecued turkey
halves will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at $22 each. Sales will continue
until 5 p.m. or until the supply runs out. In addition to Wortman Park, fully
cooked turkey halves will be available at the McMinnville Area Chamber of
Commerce information booth on Third Street and the Bi-Mart and Town Center
parking lots.”
That was then (2017), this is now (2018).
The Feb. 22, 2018, online N-R “Along the Street” column had a
headline reading, “Turkey Rama, with all the trimmings.” Column said, “Plans
also include the traditional Turkey BBQ…”
“Along the Street” June 21, 2018 in online N-R said, “The event
has been scaled down and will not include the BBQ turkey event at Wortman Park.
But BBQ turkey legs will be available downtown from one of the vendors, and
most restaurants will feature a turkey special on their menu.”
So, bottom line, for the 58th edition of Turkey Rama
in 2018, one of McMinnville’s oldest, most loved and beloved traditions, will not
include Turkey Rama organizers grilling turkey – grilling used to take place
downtown and later moved to Wortman Park – selling turkey halves meals or
turkey halves.
The World's Largest Turkey BBQ in McMinnville is no more.
The World's Largest Turkey BBQ in McMinnville is no more.
Because “BBQ turkey legs will be available downtown from one of
the vendors, and most restaurants will feature a turkey special on their menu”
it’s not accurate to say Turkey Rama is going cold turkey on turkey to eat.
But, it certainly seems Turkey Rama might be giving a cold shoulder to the
bird.
POSTSCRIPT
POSTSCRIPT
-First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church and Cooperative
Ministries (United Methodists and ELCA Lutheran) provided tables and chairs in
the Turkey Rama 2018 downtown entertainment and food court areas. At 7 o’clock
in the morning on July 13, 2018, volunteers from each respective entity
transported six tables and 35 chairs to Davis & 3rd Streets. At
9 p.m. July 14, 2018, the tables and chairs were fetched.
Meal photo by Mac News.
BBQ photo by McMinnville Newcomers Club.
