McMinnville Chamber notification regarding the 2021 Turkey Rama Festival due to uncertainty regarding COVID-19 restrictions.
(McMinnville, OR) – Turkey Rama, McMinnville’s annual summer festival, for over 59 years was held the second weekend in July in downtown McMinnville. The city-wide celebration, the largest in Yamhill County, offered activities for everyone to enjoy. Due to COVID-19 and the State of Oregon restrictions, the McMinnville Turkey Rama Committee and the Chamber Board have worked to create opportunities that honor our past, are fun, and supports our business community. This year’s event, in the spirit of Turkey Rama, July 9-11, will look different. Next year, we will be back hosting the city’s largest street fair and local summer festival.
Due to uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Committee and the Board determined that the timing to organize a street fair was not possible. Although we are disappointed, we realize that it is best to allow our businesses to recover and our community to emerge stronger.
As a result, the Chamber, the McMinnville Downtown Association, and the Turkey Rama Committee, are looking for ways to celebrate. The Turkey Rama committee have identified activities that honor Turkey Rama, support businesses, promote our community and provide fun activities: The Great Turkey Hunt; Gobble it Up; and the Dine-Out(side) on Third (organized by the Downtown Association).
The Great Turkey Hunt, a fun, month-long, city-wide hunt for the Turkey Rama Turkey, is an opportunity to win prizes by searching out the Great Turkey in our local businesses (July 1 – July 31). Gobble it Up is an opportunity to visit local restaurants offering a turkey themed dish, especially made to celebrate our heritage, on the weekend of July 9-11. Last, but not least, visit the many wonderful dining establishments on Third Street to support the MDA’s Dine-Out(side) on Third program throughout the summer weekends.
Over the years, thousands of people have flocked to and through McMinnville for the food, fun, and Turkey Rama festivities. We plan for it to happen again, in 2022. Meanwhile, support your business community by shopping local whenever possible, get a scrumptious turkey themed meal at one of the participating restaurants, search for the Great Turkey and participate in Dine-Out(side) on Third Street. Turkey Rama has been generously sponsored by McMinnville Water and Light and Oregon Mutual Insurance.
For more information on Turkey Rama, please visit turkeyrama.com, mcminnville.org or for Dine Out(side) visit macdowntown.com.
Press Release 6.3.2021 FMI: Contact Gioia Goodrum, President McMinnville Chamber of Commerce
