Soggy Conditions Didn’t Stop Jennie-O Turkey Store from Celebrating

Rain, rain, go away. The weather must have known that Saturday, July 23 was a special day for Hormel Foods and the Jennie-O Turkey Store!

Around 1,600 employees from the Jennie-O Turkey Store Corporate Office (Willmar, Minn.), Jennie-O Turkey Store Benson Ave. Plant (Willmar, Minn.), Jennie-O Turkey Store Melrose (Minn.) Plant, Jennie-O Turkey Store Willmar Ave. Plant (Willmar, Minn.) and Jennie-O Turkey Store Montevideo (Minn.) Plant gathered at Robbins Island in Willmar, Minn. to celebrate the 125^th Anniversary of Hormel Foods. To make the event even more special, the 75^th year of Jennie-O Turkey Store was also celebrated. Great timing!

Despite a slight rainfall in the morning (3.5 inches of rain, to be exact), the event went off without a hitch! Ten different inflatables were on site for children of employees to play on, although some seemed to think that the puddles were more fun to play in! During the event, children received Frisbees, hats and soccer balls. In addition, all celebration participants had the opportunity to tour the new corporate offices in Willmar, Minn.

Aside from the fun activities, turkey sandwiches and hot dogs were served along with pasta salad, chips and beans. And of course the luncheon was topped off with mini doughnuts, cotton candy, cookies and ice cream bars. Yum!

Later in the afternoon, employees and their families watched a fabulous show put on by the Little Crow Water Ski team and listened to musical entertainment provided by Kat Perkins. What a unique end to an awesome day!

The following day, on Sunday, July 24, employees sat down to enjoy a baseball game between the Willmar Stingers and the Rochester Honkers. After a hometown win, the crowd watched perhaps the most anticipated event of the night, the Mascot Olympics! A turkey mascot represented each plant and engaged in several rounds of friendly competition, including musical chairs, a 3-legged race and a dance off! The top honors went to the mascot from the Jennie-O Turkey Store Willmar Ave. Plant (Willmar, Minn.). Congratulations!

We are so glad that the rain didn’t deter the Jennie-O Turkey Store team from enjoying their fabulous event!