Turkey Day
Where am I?
Two School Communities Celebrating 100 Years
of Tradition, Friendship and Community Spirit!
The anticipation of the 2007 Turkey Day football game already is heating up as the oldest American rivalry west of the Mississippi gets ready to mark its 100th anniversary on Nov. 22. The Turkey Day Game is the only high school football game played in the Midwest on Thanksgiving Day.
The Turkey Day football game between longtime rivals, the Kirkwood High School Pioneers and the Webster Groves High School Statesmen, has come to symbolize tradition, competition and community spirit in these two St. Louis suburban communities. A majority of families in these towns have changed their priorities on this traditional holiday with the Turkey Day game first, then the family meal.
It’s more than just the biggest football game of the year for both high schools. The stakes are high. Vying for a 400-pound bell from a retired Frisco train has become more coveted than the wishbone from the Thanksgiving bird. The famed bell was donated by Frisco Railroad Company in 1951 and currently belongs to the Webster Groves Statesmen.
The game has brought both towns celebrity status over the years with clips on ESPN, as well as features in The New York Times and Sports Illustrated. As both communities prepare for the 100th anniversary of the Turkey Day Game, thousands of alumni, family and community members will gather for their pre-feast fill of football, tailgating and community spirit.
Charter Cable will show the game live on CCIN and stream it live on Charter. KMOX (1120 AM), The Voice of St. Louis, and KFNS, 590 The Fan, will be covering the game live! We hope to see everyone at the game Thursday, November 22!
The longtime tradition of the Turkey Day Game represents the true Americana flavor with a week of spirited activities in both communities that include a popular Chili Bowl Cook-Off with area restaurants, spirit days at both high schools and the traditional Kirkwood and Webster Groves High School Friendship Dance. Both communities have also caught the spirit and are planning festivities, such as the Webster Groves and Kirkwood Historical Societies Friendship Dance.
For more information contact:
Kirkwood School District
Jim Velten, Athletic Director, 314-213-6100, ext. 1310
Ginger Fletcher, Director of Community Affairs, 314-600-7773 cell