Fair Oaks Turkey Bowl Is A Beloved Community Tradition

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With the exception of 2020, every Thanksgiving in Fair Oaks over the last decade has started the same way: with stretching, the national anthem roaring through a speaker, and a game of competitive seven-on-seven flag football between neighborhood dads at Folger McKinsey Elementary School.

This year’s Turkey Bowl was a shootout with the even-month-birth dads (Evens) edging the odd-month-birth dads (Odds) 45-40 after two 25-minute halves of action.

Bryan Wasserman intercepted a pass in the end zone with two seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Evens. Tim Merritt led the Evens with three receiving touchdowns, while Odds quarterback Chris Jones connected with Kyle Harrison for two scores to keep the game close.

While the Evens claimed bragging rights, the real incentive for playing each year comes from the opportunity to meet new neighbors.

“It’s great how it brings neighbors together and then tears them back apart,” Ben Meredith joked. “It’s [also] a great way to burn calories before eating all day. I moved into the neighborhood in 2014. I grew up in Fair Oaks, and I didn’t expect to have the adult friendships that I do. We hang out all summer at the pool, we hang out in the winter and do stuff like this.”

A handful of Fair Oaks kids participate by holding flag sticks and down markers while cheering for their dads. Along with the Fair Oaks softball game on Memorial Day, the Turkey Bowl is an anticipated activity.

“These two sporting events keep the year interesting, strengthening our bond and friendships,” Merritt said.

This year, the players suffered “only three minor injuries,” according to Merritt. Those were a dislocated finger and two strained hamstrings.

All neighborhood dads are invited to play, although more than half were high school or college athletes. Merritt, for example, played college basketball. Jones was a college quarterback, and Harrison played professional lacrosse.

Adam Williams has lived in Fair Oaks since the second grade, not counting his time in college.

“We definitely take on the mantra, ‘It takes a village,’” Williams said when asked what makes Fair Oaks special. “It’s very family oriented and everyone helps each other.”

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