by Mary Rupert
Thousands of people are expected to attend the 30th annual Turner Days celebration Oct. 11-12.
“Thirty Years of Community Pride” is the theme for Turner Days.
A parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, a car show on Sunday, a petting zoo, live entertainment on the stage all day, a Walk of Fame ceremony, booths and refreshments are planned for Turner Days, said Joy Beery, chairwoman of the Turner Days Committee.
There is no admission charge for the event, and there will be a charge for refreshments.
Beery said Turner Days started 30 years ago by a large committee of community and school district volunteers from all around the Turner area.
Volunteers still are very important to the effort. “A volunteer committee helps me with everything,” she said.
The Turner Days parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Turner High School, 2211 S. 55th, and will proceed on 55th, ending at 55th and Inland Drive.
After the parade, the festival will take place at Steineger Field at 59th and Metropolitan.
A Little Mr. and Miss Turner ceremony will be held.
Also, two persons have been nominated for the Turner Walk of Fame ceremony. They are Joy Engel, assistant superintendent at Turner, and Jim Jarsulic, a member of the group that started the Turner Community Garden.
About 70 craft and food booths will be located throughout the Steineger Field area, she said. Several inflatables will be available for children.
A fundraiser for Harvesters will be a dunk tank sponsored by the high school yearbook staff.
Food vendors will offer a variety of food styles, from Mexican to Philly sandwiches, hamburgers, hog dogs, barbecue, fried Oreos and Twinkies, and cotton candy. The Turner Days event will sell turkey legs as a fundraiser.
A car show will be one of Sunday’s highlights, starting at 9 a.m.
The weather on Saturday is forecast to be better than Friday’s rainy weather.
“They say it’s not supposed to rain tomorrow, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” Beery said.