Turkeys fly over downtown
The last of the 25 turkeys thrown during KNUJ’s “Great Turkey Drop” was collected by 9-year-old Own Gawrisch. Shortly after getting the turkey, he gave it to his younger sister Nellie. The family later turned in the number on the stuff turkey to collect a prize, but Nellie got to keep the toy turkey as well.
NEW ULM – In the span of three minutes, 25 turkeys rained on a crowd gather at Minnesota Street and 2nd North.
The turkeys were thrown by from Rush’s rooftop restaurant. Rush owner Aaron Bode threw several of the turkeys himself. The event was part of KNUJ’s “Great Turkey Drop.”
The turkeys thrown off the roof were all stuffed toy turkeys. Each of the turkey had a number on it. Any individual who collected a turkey could turn in for a special prize. Each prize envelope contained a ticket for one free 10 to 12 lb turkey from Hy-Vee grocery store along with other discount coupons from a variety area stores.
The idea for the turkey drop promotion came from KNUJ General Manager Shannon Magers and Program Director Brian Filzen.
“It all started when we were talking about the old show WKRP in Cincinnati,” Magers said. Specifically, the two were discussing a 1978 episode called “Turkeys Away.” In the episode a radio station attempts a Thanksgiving promotion in which live turkeys are dropped from a helicopter ending with disastrous results.
Dozens reach out to catch one of 25 stuffed toy turkeys thrown off of Rush’s rooftop restaurant Friday evening. Each of the toy turkeys could be turned in for a free 10-12lbs turkey from Hy-Vee and other prizes. “The Great Turkey Drop” was a promotion started by KNUJ radio in reference to a 1978 episode of “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
Having learned a lesson from the episode KNUJ chose to drop stuffed toy turkeys off the Rush Roof top restaurant instead..
Magers said when they first suggested the turkey drop idea to staff, most of them did not get the reference as the episode is 46 years old. There were also some people who though the KNUJ was going to drop actual turkeys off the roof.
Despite the confusion the Turkey Drop was well attended with a large crowd gather below Rush. All 25 toy turkeys were brought in for a door prize.
Nine-year-old Owen Gawrisch was the last person to collect a turkey. Gawrisch said he was at the right place at the right time. He gave the turkey to his younger sister Nellie Gawrisch.
Magers said this first Great Turkey Drop went over well for the first year and the it could continue again next year.
Three stuffed turkeys plummet into the crowd waiting below during KNUJ’s Great Turkey Drop. Each of the turkeys collected during the drop could be turned in for a prize.
Immediately after the Turkey Drop, crowds gathered to at City Hall for the official Christmas Tree lighting, followed by the Parade of Lights.
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- Dozens reach out to catch one of 25 stuffed toy turkeys thrown off of Rush’s rooftop restaurant Friday evening. Each of the toy turkeys could be turned in for a free 10-12lbs turkey from Hy-Vee and other prizes. “The Great Turkey Drop” was a promotion started by KNUJ radio in reference to a 1978 episode of “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
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- Three stuffed turkeys plummet into the crowd waiting below during KNUJ’s Great Turkey Drop. Each of the turkeys collected during the drop could be turned in for a prize.
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- The Gawrisch children (L to R) Kallie, Owen and Brooks were successful in collecting on of the 25 Great Turkey Drop toys for the youngest Nellie (front). Owen managed to collect the last of the turkeys dropped on Thursday. He immediately gave the toy bird to his sister.
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- The last of the 25 turkeys thrown during KNUJ’s “Great Turkey Drop” was collected by 9-year-old Own Gawrisch. Shortly after getting the turkey, he gave it to his younger sister Nellie. The family later turned in the number on the stuff turkey to collect a prize, but Nellie got to keep the toy turkey as well.
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- Three stuffed turkeys plummet into the crowd waiting below during KNUJ’s Great Turkey Drop. Each of the turkeys collected during the drop could be turned in for a prize.
