July 15, 1970

Mac's Turkey-Rama draws thousands; phantom disappears

One of the largest crowds ever to attend the McMinnvil|e Turkey- Rama celebration turned out the past week in balmy weather and sampled merchant's wares, carnival rides(as in far right photo) turkey and a host of other items. Chamber officials report that about 5000 persons were served Saturday at the traditional barbecue which consisted of the feature attraction cooked over open pits (middle photo) by local businessmen and service club members. Besides those attending the barbecue Saturday an estimated 2500 persons watched the Northwest Original Turkey Races at the City Parking lot, many of whom came to view the renowned Phantom Turkey Jockey and his mysterious madcap trainer. The photo at left provides documentary evidence of the Phantom yelling "Fowl” after Orville Bernards and his trainer Ray Buckley Jr. were caught carrying their bird in a blanket. James Gainer and his trainer Ralph Johnson at right win the heat, contested by the Phantom to no avail. In fact, the Phantom and his trainer had a tough time of it in their first appearance at Turkey-Rama. Firemen doused the visiting jockey's cap pistol ruining his caps and burning his feathers (slightly wilted from the heat). The Phantom later disappeared before racing, claiming the judges fixed the races (”nothing but a bunch of pigeons,” he muttered.) Judges Morris Majors, Arthur Ireland and Bill Dielschneider claimed the Phantom’s tactics were unfair and never experienced before in town, thus there were no grounds for protest. The case is due before the stewards of the Turkey Racing Commission