The Huntley Parkside Café has hosted a unique Thanksgiving Eve event since 1983: the Turkey Testicle Festival. This year it is held on November 23, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Alan Scott, Sun City resident, has a tradition of attending the event every year with family, friends, or even alone.
Scott said, “In 2008, a year after we moved here, I went with my daughter Cheryl. She was visiting from New York. We enjoyed the music and had a couple of beers, but she was not a fan of the main fare, turkey testicles. When she told her fiancé about it, his response was ‘those crazy Midwesterners.’”
Scott has made the event every year except for a family obligation one year and the Covid year.
“I go in the early afternoon when the crowd is mostly older. I enjoy the music and there is always someone I know there. In the evening it gets pretty crowded. It reminds me of Octoberfest in Germany, on a much smaller scale. My wife and I went to Munich and attend the fest and there are hundreds of thousands of people attending. They have 10 tents that hold about 15,000 people and there is a lot of beer consumed.”
What was their favorite time attending the Turkey Testicle festival?
Scott said, “The year I went with my wife and some in-laws and friends. There were about nine of us. We really enjoyed the band, 7th Heaven. It was great because we knew the songs that they played.”
The band 7th heaven has been a feature on radio stations in Chicagoland and is known for their 30 Songs in 30 Minutes, a medley of songs from the ’70s and ’80s. This year, Parkside is featuring the band as well as others.
So, what does the turkey taste like?
Scott said, “I would say it has the flavor and texture similar to turkey gizzards or the heart.”
Parkside chefs deep-fry more than 1,200 pounds of turkey testicles and serve them to the public at several locations in the Parkside Pub. The event supports multiple charities. Over 5,000 people, attracted by this peculiar delicacy, come from all over the US.
Those who have seen the movie Funny Farm with Chevy Chase, know that a similar dish, lamb fries, or Rocky Mountain Oysters, is featured at the town café.
Scott said, “I am quite familiar with that dish. I am from Denver. I am no stranger to exotic foods. When I was in the service, I was stationed in Hawaii and tried my first sushi. I liked it so much I would buy my own Ahi Tuna and roll it up, spice it up, and enjoy it. I like trying crazy food.”
Scott has shared the delicacy with others each year at Thanksgiving.
“When I am about to leave, I order a plate to go. This is the dish I bring to Thanksgiving every year for our contribution to the meal.” Now there’s a dish that probably won’t be duplicated at the dinner table.
The event takes place at Parkside Pub at 11721 Main St. in Huntley. The countdown and information can be found at parksidepub.com/ttf or Parkside Pub’s Facebook page.
