Turkey Trot Story

The Turkey Trot, which has evolved into the present-day Turkeyfest, began in 1912. Traveling salesmen from the north began watching with great interest the droves of turkeys that were driven on foot to the Cuero Market. 

In 1908 Cuero’s first turkey dressing house was opened and turkey raising began on a large scale on DeWitt County farms. Early in November, the growers would drive their turkeys down country roads and through the city streets to the packing house and the northerners would marvel at the site. They expressed their interest to the locals and year by year the number of visitors would come to Cuero to watch the turkey drive. 

In 1912 the Chamber of Commerce sensed the interest of the visitors and wanted to encourage the turkey raising industry for advertising South Texas turkeys, decided to stage a celebration with a turkey drive down the city’s main streets. This celebration became an annual tradition attracting news writers, cameramen, journalists and thousands of spectators each year. 

The tradition lives on but is now called Turkeyfest and is held every October. Today there is an annual race between turkeys from Worthington, Minnesota and Cuero. Also, there is a carnival, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and much more during the three-day event.