Cuero’s celebrity turkey Ruby Begonia got a big send off last week for the Worthington, Minn., Turkey Gallop on Saturday, Sept. 13.
Ruby Begonia, known as the “Fastest Turkey in the South,” traveled to Worthington, Minn., with handlers to face off against Paycheck, named as such because “nothing goes faster than a paycheck.” The rest of Ruby Begonia’s race team followed by plane later.
The two wild turkeys competed in the first leg of the race during the Minnesota town’s King Turkey Day festival, Sept. 11-13. Then, Paycheck will journey to Cuero with the Minnesota town’s race team to take on Ruby Begonia in the second leg of the race during Cuero’s Turkeyfest celebration Friday to Sunday, Oct. 10-12.
A combination of race times and penalties for Ruby Begonia and Paycheck will be used to declare the winner. At stake for the two cities, which in addition to the races host a parade and other festivities annually around the events, is the title of Turkey Capital of the World.
The winner will re- ceive the Traveling Turkey Trophy of Tumultuous Triumph, currently held by Ruby Begonia, and the loser will get the Circulating Consolation Cup of Consummate Commiseration.
Organizers of the races note that there could be a surprise “because in a turkey race, anything can happen.” Wild turkeys can reach speeds on foot of up to 25 miles per hour and 55 miles per hour in the air, according to wildlife experts.
Turkeyfest official Brenda Martin said this year’s celebration will be the 53rd anniversary of the races. The first was held in 1973 after the towns, which both had histories of turkey production, decided to start competing, she said.
“It’s just a real nice, friendly rivalry and camaraderie between two small towns,” Martin said. “Many friendships have been made over the years.”
For information, visit turkeyfest.org
