Turkey Rama, McMinnville’s annual summer festival, will be held Thursday, July 9 through Saturday, July 11, 2009 in East Wortman Park and other locations around town.

Turkey Rama is one of McMinnville’s oldest traditions. Join us for our 49th year, featuring the World’s Largest Turkey BBQ on Saturday, July 11!

Each year thousands of people flock to McMinnville for the food, fun and entertainment. The community festival observes the historical importance of the once thriving turkey business in the surrounding county. The weekend’s festivities will also include the Turkey Trot (8K Race/2K Walk), Funtastic Carnival, the Biggest Turkey Contest, and much more! For more information, please contact the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce at 503-472-6196 or www.mcminnville.org.

McMinnville is located on Highway 99W, 35 miles southwest of Portland and 30 miles northwest of Salem.

The World’s Largest Turkey BBQ:  For those looking for good barbecued turkey, McMinnville is the place! Once again this year we will grill over 5 tons of turkey on Saturday, July 11, 11 AM to 7 PM. The barbecue features fresh barbecued turkey, prepared on-site. Guests can order a turkey dinner or a fully cooked barbecued turkey-half to take home. Turkey dinners include a generous portion of turkey, potato salad and coleslaw, dinner roll, watermelon, cake and soft drink. Turkey dinners are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children. Fully cooked barbecued turkey halves are $15 each. Turkey halves can be purchased at four locations around town—the BBQ site at Wortman Park (11 AM until sold out), Town Center/Rite-Aid (9 AM to 2 PM), Who’s On Third vendor booth (Noon until sold out), and at the Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot (10 AM to 3 PM)

Live Music & Entertainment:  Live entertainment will run from 11 AM to 6 PM in the park for guests of the World’s Largest Turkey BBQ. Entertainment will include the Second Winds Community Band, McMinnville Martial Arts demonstration, and much more!

Biggest Turkey Contest:  This perennial community favorite is a fundraiser for McMinnville’s domestic violence shelter, Henderson House. This year’s talent show—a grand finale to a fundraising competition—will be held at the entertainment stage at Wortman Park at 6 PM.

Funtastic Carnival:  For the young at heart, Funtastic Shows will return with carnival rides and games. The carnival is located at the corner of Booth Bend Road and Hwy 99W, in front of Rice Furniture and Hometown Dental, and adjacent to Lowe’s Home Improvement. The carnival will open at noon on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (July 9-11).

Other community events will be held throughout McMinnville in conjunction with Turkey Rama. For a complete schedule of events, click on “Events Schedule” on the menu bar above.