Foam turkeys will take flight for Wood County Museum fundraiser

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Foam turkeys will take flight over the Wood County Museum’s parking lot for an annual fundraiser inspired by a famous fictional publicity stunt.

The Wood County Museum is partnering with Toledo Aerial Media to drop 300 foam turkeys for the 3rd annual Turkey Drop Fundraiser.

New this year, former WTOL 11 anchor Jerry Anderson will serve as emcee for the “WKRP in Cincinnati”-inspired event, reenacting Les Nessman from the 1978 sitcom. In the episode “Turkeys Away,” fictional radio station WKRP drops turkeys from the sky in what becomes a disastrous Thanksgiving promotional giveaway.

Museum marketing and events coordinator Marissa Muniz Klehoff said the idea came from a brainstorming session about creative fundraising events.

“We were sitting in a staff meeting brainstorming ideas of different fundraisers to come up with, and this is one that came out of it and we’ve run with it ever since,” Klehoff said. “It’s been great.”

The Wood County Museum’s fundraiser features numbered foam turkeys raised to the sky by drone and dropped over a target. Participants can buy a turkey for $50 each, with cash prizes based on proximity to the targets. There will be two targets and two of each cash prize, with the nearest getting $1,000; second-closest winning $750; and third-closest winning $500. There are also “various other non-cash prizes” including frozen turkeys, according to the museum.

Proceeds from the event benefit museum operations, including exhibits and educational programs.

“The funds go right back into the museum,” Klehoff said. “They support our exhibits, our education programs, and community events like our free First Fridays.”

The museum recently completed repairs and has seen increased community support since reopening.

“Flood repairs are all finished up,” Klehoff said. “We’ve seen an uptick in attendance since then, and the community really has rallied around us.”

The drop is scheduled for Nov. 6 at 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Wood County Museum, located at 13660 County Home Road in Bowling Green, but participants do not need to be present to win. However, for those who do attend, turkey dogs and sides will be available for a donation.

“I highly encourage you to come out and watch it,” Klehoff said. “It’s very fun and we see more people every year.”

Foam turkeys will be sold while supplies last or until noon on Nov. 6, and can be purchased online at this link, in-person at the Wood County Museum or on location before the drop.