By Norma Dittman
Staff writer
Racing turkey, free pancakes, a midway, a parade are all a part of the 80th Annual King Turkey Day Festival that will be held in Worthington on Friday and Saturday, September 13th and 14th.
In fact, there is so many fun and exciting events planned that you will definitely want to make sure you are a part of this event that began with merchants dressed in denim overalls and plaid shirts, and turkey tail feathers set out on the streets as souvenirs. The year was 1939.
On Friday, September 14th in downtown Worthington, the Turkey Day Fowl Play begins at 6 p.m. Ten, six person teams will be competing for fame and cash prizes.
Saturday’s schedule begins at 9 a.m. with the free pancake breakfast. Pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee will be served until noon.
The 5K Run, 5K Walk and 10K Run all begin, as well, at 9 a.m.
Paul LaRoche is the featured speaker, and will be speaking at 1 p.m. on Tenth Street. LaRoche is the founder and producer of the award-winning Native American music group Brulé. He will serve as the honorary flag person for the Great Gobbler Gallop Turkey Race at 1:30 p.m. Terri Odell is the race team’s coach. Handlers are Chad Nixon and Kelly Eggers. The team captain is Jaime Salinas
2 p.m. is the kick-off time for the King Turkey Day Grand Parade. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs to watch the parade in comfort.
Food vendors that will be a delight to your taste buds will include Front Porch Concessions, Midwest Concessions, The Cheese Carriage, Pro Services Vending, LLC, Godfather’s, P. S. Indian Tacos, Lep’s Take Me Out, Z & Z’s Bar B Q, All American Concession, At the Hop Concessions, Comunidad Cristiana De Sheldon, Simply Sweet Cheesecake, Project Morning Star, Gyros & More, Smoke Show Eats, Nobles County Corn and Soybean Growers, Asian Hut, and Flamingo Concessions.
The 2019 King Turkey Day Smokin’ Gobbler Cook-Off takes place both Friday and Saturday during the festival. This event is an annual Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event.
There are also children’s activities and a beer garden!
