In likely the funniest episode of the 1980s sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, radio station manager Arthur Carlson comes up with an idea for a Thanksgiving promotion. They'd hire a helicopter to drop live turkeys over a busy supermarket parking lot. The turkeys would fly gently to earth and the station would be commended for its marketing creativity.
One problem. Turkeys can't fly.
Beleaguered news reporter Les Nessman, sent to cover the supposedly upbeat "Turley Drop," is instead witness to the aftermath. "The turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement," he shouts into his microphone. "Oh the humanity." Meanwhile back at the station, the other on-air personalities are cracking up.
Fortunately for everyone involved, live turkeys weren't part of the concept Saturday afternoon at Naramata's Manitou Park. But plastic eggs were.
At approximately 1 p.m., with hundreds of people waiting below, including what seemed like the entire Naramata Fire Department acting as crowd control, an Aerospatiale AS 350 BA chopper owned by Penticton's Eclipse Helicopters appeared just over the tree line above the park.
Scant seconds later, flying west toward Okanagan Lake, it let loose its cargo - several hundred hollow plastic Easter eggs. It was a glorious sight.
And then the fun began as a couple hundred kids sprinted across the field toward the colourful eggs, which they'd then exchange for treats at the event's designated candy table.
In charge of what is officially known as the "Naramata Egg Drop" was Laura McCarron of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS).
"This has been going on for over twenty years," she said. "It's an annual tradition here in Naramata, and every year it grows and grows."
"Now we have a lot of people coming from outside communities to this little village for what's become a signature, unique event."
"This year we've also brought a physical activity trailer for the kids. We set up game and activities for the kids, to give them something to do while they're waiting for the helicopter."
An hour later, the parking lot and the surrounding streets, overflowing with traffic and families just a short time ago, reverted to their normal, quieter state. And no one was forced to clean up a turkey tragedy.
