Letter to editor of McMinnville News-Register/N-R July 6, 2018. Name of letter writer*, who lives in McMinnville, withheld on request.
Retain turkey, history
1) I agree with the June 29 letter from Claudia Spawn, headlined “Please bring the turkey back!” No turkey sides or BBQ for Turkey Rama 2018 is a major disappointment.
2) What year did Turkey Rama start?
Much of what I’ve read says 1961. However, a June 28, 1983, Oregonian story by correspondent Jo McIntyre said this “community extravaganza” emerged from “relatively small beginnings in 1960.”
I’ve seen the 1960 date indicated elsewhere, too.
The History of The Rotary Club of McMinnville #922 reports, “On 12/6/47, 49 local area turkey growers were guests of the club. The first week of December had been proclaimed Turkey Week, with exhibits, judges, speeches and entertainment. This might have been the forerunner of what became Turkey Rama in 1960, a huge celebration in McMinnville each summer.”
A photo cutline in The Oregonian of Aug. 9, 1963, called that year’s Turkey Rama the third. The newspaper’s July 5, 1972, edition referenced the 12th and its July 11, 1976, edition the 16th. All three references would suggest a 1960 start.
Xxxxx Xxxxx*McMinnville
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