The idea of the Daviess County Turkey Trot Festival and races was hatched in early 1972 by members of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce led by then president, Ron Myers. Their intent was both to bid a last big goodbye to summer and maybe put Daviess County on the tourist map. Both goals have seemingly been accomplished and then some. The original plan was to have the festival in the fall of the year and have it hosted on a rotating basis by various organizations in different towns of Daviess County. However, it did not take long to realize that a permanent site and some degree of permanent organization was necessary to keep the festival going on an annual basis. The Montgomery Campground and Park facility along with the continuing organization of the Montgomery Ruritan Club offered the solution for the only site of what was originally the idea of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce leadership. However, since the early 1980’s, the Montgomery Ruritan Club has been the sole sponsoring organization although support and work contributions do come from individual members of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce membership and other community minded citizens.The first Turkey Trot drew some 30,000 enthusiastic spectators and reporters from major New York, Chicago and Louisville newspapers and ABC-TV network news. By wire service the tale of the first gobbler get-together was carried throughout the United States and even into newspapers of South America.But turkeys weren’t always in the running as a name for the festival. In the beginning, Chamber members considered corn, watermelons, catfish and even hogs. But turkeys really seemed the only logical choice since about one million or more were raised in Daviess County each year and somewhere around three times that many were processed at the local Armour & Co. plant now owned and operated by Perdue Farms Inc.The first trial turkey race ended in disaster as the birds headed for a clump of shade trees near the 200 ft. track and refused to budge. After extensive research, Ron Myers discovered that two things would make turkeys run-food and sun.With all this under their belts, the Chamber and the Montgomery Ruritan Club managed to pull off the world’s first turkey races in September 1972. “Firebird,” with 15-year-old Craig Miller as jockey, was proclaimed the winner with a sizzling 20-second time in the championship heat.Throughout the previous Turkey Trot Festivals, the elements of heat and cold and rain have influenced the size of the crowds each year and consequently the success of each festival. Regardless of the elements and the changing nature of entertainment offered, the Turkey Trot Festival, by whatever name it goes by, is still one of the highlight events and attractions of Daviess County each year.

“42nd ANNUAL TURKEY TROT FESTIVAL SAW BIGGEST SATURDAY NIGHT CROWD EVER”

Note: this Article was taken from the 2014 Turkey Trot Festival Ad Book. It was the last year of its publication as it was discontinued. We think the article may have come from Albert Kavanaugh’s recollections of past Turkey Trots.

“The Turkey Trot Festival of 2012 still brings memories of major drought and stifling heat that was finally broken on Friday night. In 2013, weather conditions could not have been more perfect -temperatures were normal, daytime skies were generally blue with starlight at night and no rain or threats of rain in sight.
The 42ndTurkey Trot Festival got off to a good start on Thursday night with the usual events highlighted by the Farm Stock Tractor Pulls which produced one of the best opening night gates in a few years. Friday night’s entertainment featured a music group from the east coast known as “PARMALEE.” Their music and show was entertaining, the crowd was good but not exceptional.
Saturday produced a sundrenched day with mild temperatures for the early morning 5-K Run, Horse Pulls on the track, Mud Volley-ball Tournament in the pits, ITPA Truck Pulls in the afternoon on the track, and the Cornhole Toss Tournament in the garden to go on as scheduled and were well attended Saturday night, the stage was set for what had been predicted would be a record turn out to see and hear country music legend “John Michael Montgomery in concert.
Sometimes predictions turn out to be a bust but not this one. Festival goers came from far and near to hear John Michael Montgomery sing his signature songs, “Life’s A Dance”, “I Love The Way You Love Me”, “Friends”, and several more of the songs that still resonate across the airways. The parking lots were crammed to capacity and then some. Many fans found parking places along the streets in Montgomery and walked to the festival grounds. Crowd estimates for Saturday night ranged as high as five to six thousand. Without a doubt it was the biggest crowd gathering for festival entertainer ever.
Sunny skies prevailed on Sunday with the main attractions being the Demo Derby and the Pig Wrestling Contests which also drew good numbers of spectators and Sunday festival patrons. The Turkey race championship went off on schedule on the track before the main Sunday event, the demo derby which was also well attended Perhaps the only negative of the festival was the presences of a zip-line attraction which had been a popular attraction at similar festivals and fairs but not this one – it was not our first and most likely not the last attraction that simply will not live up to its billing. As an outdoor event and to be financially success, the Turkey Trot Festivals almost entirely dependent on the weather.
After very measured financial success in 2000 and 2001, financially 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were good weather successes only to see 2007, 2008, 2010 and again in2012 as measured financial successes due to storm threats and rain on one or more days. Fortunately, 2009 and 2011were two of the most financially successful ever with 2013 not far behind.
All in all for 8th year Festival Chairman DeWayne Shake, it was a relief for him and all who have devoted so much time and effort to this event through the years. Hopefully, Mother Nature will be cooperative with favorable weather again this year for the 43rd Annual Turkey Trot Festival.”