Amidst the controversial practice of throwing turkeys from a plane during the annual Turkey Trot festival in Yellville, the Yellville Chamber of Commerce is distancing itself and the community of Yellville from the act. In a letter titled “Let’s Talk Turkey” on the chamber’s website http://www.yellville.com/TURKEY-TROT.html , viewers are directed to click on a turkey icon to “read a letter from the Yellville Chamber of Commerce about the Tradition of Turkey Trot and its importance to the community.” The letter focuses on the history of Turkey Trot, citing the festival has been a tradition for nearly 75 years, marks the beginning of fall and is a time for family and friends to get together. It states Turkey Trot is more than just turkeys being released from a plane, however to “outsiders” that’s all the festival is.
In an article written by Northwest News Reporter Bill Bowden on October 5th, Bowden reports Rose Hilliard of Bruno says she went to the Marion County Sheriff’s office to file a complaint about the tossing of turkeys from a low flying plane. Hilliard says “they are being told a crime is going to be committed,” and “I would hope they would do the right thing and arrest and prosecute”.
Hilliard was referring to The Phantom Pilot, who has hinted on his Facebook page that he will fly again this year and drop turkeys from a plane. She says Marion County Sheriff Clinton Evans, can end the tradition.
Evans said a deputy has been working on Hilliard’s complaint.
If an investigation is warranted, Evans said, he’ll ask the Arkansas State Police to do it so there will be no conflict-of-interest allegations.
Bill Sadler, a spokesman for the state police, said the agency doesn’t normally open misdemeanor criminal cases in the immediate jurisdiction of a local law enforcement agency.
Gemma Vaughan, an animal-cruelty caseworker with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said the state police has repeatedly told the organization that this case falls under the jurisdiction of the sheriff’s office.
Sam Pasthing, Yellville City Attorney, says the issue has not been a point of contention for the Yellville City Council during his 15 years of service and if an ordinance to ban dropping turkeys was proposed, the city would look to state law.
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The Yellville Chamber of Commerce says they have no part in the release of the turkeys with “no affiliation, jurisdiction or control over what any individual does in his or her private plane in the air.” Pasthing says he believes the majority of Yellville residents share the Chamber’s sentiment- the festival is more than that.
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The Yellville Chamber says ultimately the festival is a homecoming for many and a time to get together to see friends and relatives.
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