Saturday Downtown Festival
Live Turkey Races
Turkey Calling Demos
Steven Staley Band
Pony Rides by Painted Pony
Turkey Fest – Saturday, April 20th, 2013
Rain or shine Turkey Fest offers the perfect environment for family fun. Come answer the call and enjoy:
Children’s Corner by KAUZ and Clay County Memorial Hospital Foundation
The children’s corner is a crowd favorite with a petting zoo, Happy Hopper bounce house, pony rides by Painted Pony and a caterpillar ride around the square. The free petting zoo includes bunnies, goats, birds and wallabies.
Live Demonstrations
Experience live demonstrations by Nellie Quiet Dove, a group of pioneers who pitch their tents and display living the pioneer way of life. Watch the pioneers make beaded necklaces, dream catchers, lace and yarn. Learn to throw knives and tomahawk too! Nellie Quiet Dove’s group are experts so be sure to ask them lots of questions about frontier living. Don’t miss the nail-biting reenactment by the 15th Texas Calvary. The whole square shakes as they reenact an altercation during the Civil War with gun and cannon fire.
Wildlife Corner by ESCO of Bowie
Explore exhibits by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and Operation Game Thief by the Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens. The NWTF sets up a blow up shooting range for marksmen of all ages. Operation Game Thief strives to eliminate poaching by educating the public about safe and legal hunting practices. Take a look at their stunning display of game on the Hall of Shame. The Texas Wildlife Association will demonstrate would to make turkey calls. You can take a call home with you to practice. The Texas Youth Hunting Program provides a laser trailer for youth to hone their shooting skills. Finally, learn how to participate in the Clay County Wildlife Corridor at the UNT-Quail booth.
Vendors, Shopping and Food
Vendors sell crafts, promote events/non-profit endeavors, offer live demonstrations and serve delicious festival foods. Last year, the BBQ vendor sold out from such a hungry crowd – so be sure to come early for lunch.
Scholarship Barrel Races
Seniors who attend Clay County high schools compete for a $1,500 scholarship ($500 per team member) at the Scholarship Barrel Races. Competitors are tasked to build a contraption resembling a turkey and race around a barrel. The winner is determined by creativity and speed to complete the race.
Turkey Cook-Off by The Sheriff’s Posse
Compete for $1,000 at the Clay County Sheriff’s Posse turkey cook-off. Each entry is $100 and all proceeds benefit the Paige Payne Memorial Scholarship Fund. Tent appearance, presentation of their entry and the taste of their turkey determine the winner. Working as a dispatcher with the Clay County Sheriffs’ Office, Paige went above and beyond to help others. It is their hope that the scholarship gives a graduating senior the courage and determination to make a difference, just as Paige did.
Live Entertainment
Enjoy alternative county jams by Steven Staley band, an up and coming group from 12:30 – 2 p.m. The band includes Steven Staley lead vocalist and acoustic guitar; Joe Harris on lead guitar; Jeff Griner on bass; and Stevie Lonney on drums. They played at the 2012 Turkey Fest and we are excited to have them return to the festival. Finally, Clay County native Erick Willis entertains the crowd from 2:45 – 3:45.
Live Turkey Races
Cheer for your favorite bird during the live turkey races. We name each bird after one of our communities like Petrolia, Joy, Henrietta, Byers, Bellevue, Prairie Flower, Jolly and Vashti. The birds have to waddle around a fence and back to their pens. We race the birds twice and the winning bird is announced at the close of Turkey Fest.
A Very Big Thanks to Our 2013 Premium Sponsors!
Festival Map
Click here for the festival map.
Helpful Links for Vendors Below!
Vendor Booth:
Food Booth:
Non-Profit Booth:
FREE!
Jane Rodgers
February 27, 2012 at 7:20 pm
When I clicked onto “Turkey Fest” this is allI could find for vendor applications for e-mail method.
I was talking to a chamber member this morning she asked me to send my application in through e-mail.
Name: Jane L. Rodgers CATEGORY
Address: 404 Erwin Road Retail
City / State / Zip: Poolville, TX 76487
Detailed Description: Products: Starter Bracelets, Watches, Necklaces / Chocker, Brooch Studes(New Item not yet on web) and several catagories of charms. I also carry Patriotic Auto Magnetic Ribbons. After looking at my unfinished web site you still have any questions about my product please feel free to call 817 – 235 – 6024. Seeing as there will be no electricity available I was asking about using my own 800 Rated Watts / 900 Max Watts Portable Generator. It will be sitting under a table. I need this so iI will be able to run my PayPal virtule credit card machine through my laptop.
hccchamber
February 27, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Thanks, Jane, for visiting our site! The Vendor Application is on the Turkey Fest page, not this Festival sub-page. But, it makes sense to have it here, too!
You can resubmit your online vendor application by going back to the Turkey Fest homepage, or I can use the information you’ve provided above to take to the Festival Committee for approval. I’ll contact you as soon as possible after the committee meets.
Clarissa
March 6, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Is there going to be a big name Texas Music band playing this year?
hccchamber
March 7, 2012 at 4:47 pm
At Saturday’s festival, there will be a variety of entertainment running throughout the day. For musical acts, we are focusing on local talent from the North Texas area. We are still confirming the acts, but please check back to the website for updates. Also, the Celebrity Hunt Teams (with shows on the Outdoor Channel, Pursuit Channel, and Versus) will be at the festival for autographs and photo ops. Hope you’ll come out and join us for a fantastic festival expereience!