Yellville has a problem. It encourages people to attend its yearly Turkey Trot festival, but the most amazing event is one about which the town is silent.
That something is the “Turkey Drop,” a two-day event that features the dropping of live wild turkeys from a low-flying aircraft around the site.
Turkey Trot has been celebrated on the second Friday and Saturday of October every year since 1946. It was conceived as a way to call attention to the regions abundant wild turkeys. The “Turkey Toss,” in which live wild turkeys were thrown off the roof of the County Courthouse, was one of the festival’s highlights. In the 1960s this was replaced by the Turkey Drop.
The idea behind the toss/drop was to increase the local population by allowing the majority of the turkeys to escape into the wild. The issue lies in the fact that although wild turkeys are capable of flying, they are used to doing so much closer to the ground, between trees. Some of the dropped birds would expire on impact. Some that landed safely ended up being chased around town.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the chasing and splashing garnered unwanted national media attention, and animal rights organizations threatened legal action. The Turkey Drop has been formally separated from Yellville since 1990; no Turkey Trot literature mentions it, but it nevertheless takes place every year. In October, the town witnesses unexplained aircraft dropping turkeys during a festival; however, the drop point has been shifted to the southern edge of the town to ensure that the pilots do not breach FAA altitude regulations. Four or five drops take place each day, with one to three turkeys per trip.
The Miss Drumsticks beauty contest, where the winners are selected with their faces and upper bodies hidden, is another unforgettable event held during the Turkey Trot.
Yellville resident Ralph B. reported in March 2014: “PETA finally got our harmless (unless you are a turkey) turkey drop stopped. If the pilot threw turkeys out of a plane, I believe they threatened to revoke their license. I dont go to town during the festival anymore because the turkeys were the reason for going. “.
There were no drops 2012-2014, yet the bizarre tradition resumed in 2015. And then it finally, maybe, dropped into history for good.
Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, the quaint town of Yellville has a peculiar tradition that has sparked both fascination and controversy for decades: the Turkey Drop. This annual event, held during the Turkey Trot festival, involves dropping live turkeys from an airplane onto the unsuspecting crowd below.
A Tradition Rooted in History
The Turkey Drop’s origins can be traced back to the 1940s when the Turkey Trot festival was established to celebrate the region’s abundant wild turkey population. In an attempt to boost the local turkey population organizers decided to toss live turkeys from the courthouse roof. This practice continued for several years, but concerns about animal welfare and safety led to its eventual replacement by the aerial drop.
The Phantom Pilot Takes Flight
The 1960s saw the introduction of the “Phantom Pilot,” a mysterious figure who would fly over the festival in a small plane and release the turkeys from the sky. The identity of the Phantom Pilot remained a secret for many years, adding an air of intrigue to the event.
Controversy and Criticism
As the years passed, the Turkey Drop became increasingly controversial. Animal rights activists condemned the practice as cruel and inhumane, arguing that the turkeys suffered from the fall and the stress of the experience. Additionally, concerns were raised about the safety of the crowd below, as the turkeys could potentially injure spectators.
Attempts to Stop the Drop
Despite the growing opposition, the Turkey Drop continued for decades. Animal rights groups and concerned citizens attempted to stop the practice through protests, petitions, and legal challenges. However, the town of Yellville remained steadfast in its support of the tradition, arguing that it was a harmless and entertaining event.
The End of an Era?
In 2017, the Turkey Drop faced its biggest challenge yet. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigated the practice and determined that it did not violate any regulations. However, the FAA also stated that it did not endorse the drop and that animal cruelty was not within its jurisdiction.
Following the FAA’s investigation, the identity of the Phantom Pilot was revealed to be Dana Woods, a local pharmacist. Woods continued to fly the drops for several years, but in 2021, he announced that he would be retiring from the role.
With the retirement of the Phantom Pilot, the future of the Turkey Drop remains uncertain. The town of Yellville has not yet announced any plans for the 2023 festival, and it is unclear whether the controversial tradition will continue.
A Legacy of Debate
The Turkey Drop in Yellville, Arkansas, stands as a testament to the complex relationship between tradition, animal welfare, and public opinion While the practice has its supporters who view it as a harmless and entertaining event, it has also drawn fierce criticism from those who believe it is cruel and unnecessary As the debate continues, the future of the Turkey Drop remains uncertain, leaving a legacy of controversy and a lasting impact on the small town of Yellville.
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