IS TURKEY RAMA 2018 GIVING A COLD SHOULDER TO TURKEY?

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 58^th 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.

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

-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 & 3^rd 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.