|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
View
the FULL MENU
The core menu includes a mix of Serbian cuisine and traditional
American barbeque favorites. What is essentially an endless supply
of Cevapcici is the focus of the menu. Considered to be a national
dish of Serbia, these 4 inch sausages are made of a combination
of lamb, pork, and beef. The cevapcici served at Turkey Run is
supplied by the Zelenkovich Familys deli of preference,
DSD Delicatessen in Chicago. DSD uses a slightly modified recipe
created by Jovan's grandfather many years ago. Served over sliced
tomato and chopped onion, a serving of cevapcici is the perfect
complement to any other menu item, or of course delightful on
its own as well! It has undoubtedly been one of the few constants
at Serb Fest since its inception in the mid 1970's. In 2003, its
perception as the quintessential menu item really took off. The
focus turned to how much cevapcici was to be ordered each year
particularly, how much MORE than the previous year. A record
number, 3 orders, or 450 cevapcici was ordered.... nearly all
of which was consumed that weekend. By 2005, the annual cevapcici
order had reached its pinnacle at 5 2/3 orders, or a count of
850! In the years following, the order size has steadily declined
to more realistic levels, but the fact remains cevapcici
continues to be a dominant menu item throughout the weekend and
the anticipation for our favorite Serbian sausages remains as
strong as ever.
Another
Serbian favorite, Pjleskovica, otherwise known as a Serbian Hamburger,
is made by forming patties from raw cevapcici along with chopped
onion and jalepeno. Both cevapcici and pjleskovica are often enjoyed
with fresh bread from DSD along with Ajvar, a roasted red pepper
spread, and Kajmak, a dairy spread.
Traditional
American Barbeque favorites include marinated chicken legs, beer
boiled bratwurst and barbecue pulled pork sandwiches. Youll
also usually find plenty of traditional all-beef hamburgers and
Italian sausage occupying the grill throughout the weekend! The
grill is more or less lit in the morning and kept warm through
the late night hours. While some are able to delineate actual
meals at Turkey Run, many tend to keep a slow, but constant flow
of food coming across their plates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who
can deny the role that fine beverages play at Serb Fest? While
hardly required to fuel a good time, as in most social situations,
beer, wine, and spirits can certainly enhance a situation! We
are certain that alcohol has always been a part of Serb Fest.
We see evidence of Miller Lite cans in the landscape of historic
photos. Slivovica, Serbian Holy Water, is assumed to have flowed
generously. Cika Daca certainly enjoys a fine glass of Brandy
to this day. Certainly, for the Second Generation of attendees,
growing up, alcoholic beverages played little to no role in their
experience. It wasnt until the make-up trip
in August of 2001 that the group made a conscious decision to
bring and consume beer at Turkey Run. This was the first time
that the kids attended Turkey Run without the presence
of adults. Remember, until this make-up
trip adults still in accompanied the kids
and the notion was that it would be frowned upon for the kids
to drink heavily, regardless of the fact that most of them were
over 21 years of age by that time. There was a bit more of a comfort
level, even with adults in attendance in 2002 as the
kids eased them into the idea of them drinking amongst
them. In 2003, with the passing of the torch, all bets were off
and beer drinking became a focus of the weekend. The group established
a tradition of primarily drinking cheap beer paying
tribute to the White Trash theme of the weekend. Miller
High Life, Miller Lite, Old Style, and PBR were among the early
favorites of the group. Years later, a token case of Strohs became
a standby. The classiest beer in the lineup continues
to be Corona. In 2004, beer consumption was once again amplified
with the transition of the 15 mile canoe/kayak trip to a 3 ½-4
mile beer float. Coolers full of beer accompany the
group, usually carried by 1-2 canoes, around which groups of kayaks
congregate. Beers are found sailing through the air on regular
intervals to the surrounding kayaks.
Aside
from the obvious consumption of Holy Water other liquors
such as Spiced Rum and Vodka have come and gone with little consistency.
Introducing Vodka infused Watermelon proved to be a questionable
decision in 2005 upon its explosion on the ground surface of the
shelter as a result of being dropped from a height of 15 feet
by Dave R.
The
only other beverage of interest doubles as yet another reference
to "Back to the Future". Becoming tradition during the
historic, TR 99.... was the introduction of TaB Cola. We all hopefully
recall a young Marty McFly at the neighborhood diner upon his
arrival to the year 1955 where he attempts to order a "TaB".
His request was met with "I can't give you a tab kid, unless
you order something!". In response, Marty orders a "Pepsi
Free" (Both "Pepsi Free" & "TaB"
were popular sugar-free colas in the mid-1980's) which was met
with "If I'm gonna give you a Pepsi, you're gonna pay for
it!". Marty finally settles for a coffee. I digress.... In
any event, while en route to Turkey Run, somewhere in Central
Indiana, Mr. Zelenkovich stopped off at a gas station to fill
up the van. Having just finished watching Back to the Future,
we walked into the gas station's mini-mart to find no less than
a mountain of TaB! None of us had seen this available in over
a decade, so we immediately had to buy a case! Each year following,
a case of TaB finds its way to TR, even if no more than a few
are actually consumed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deep
canyons nestled in the shadows of sandstone cliffs and peaceful
hemlock groves are some of the most ruggedly beautiful hiking
trails in the State of Indiana. These scenic trails were an important
aspect of what first drew the Founders of Serb Fest to Turkey
Run State Park in the mid-1970s. Its unknown as to
how much off-road hiking the First Generation attempted,
there are countless photographs of the group - men, women and
children exploring several of the trails TR has to offer.
A popular destination was the Narrows Covered Bridge, built in
1882, one of several historic covered bridges spanning Sugar Creek
that the area is well known for. Through the early-mid 1990s,
the kids broke free from the adults and took hikes of their own
most being much more daring than those taken
with their parents in previous years. The hike would eventually
come to kick off the weekend each year as Jovan and his friends
arrived late Saturday morning. The tough hike was a means to build
the kids appetite while the parents unpacked coolers and
fired up the grill in preparation of the weekends first
meal. The hike was so popular among the teenage Second Generation,
an additional hike or two would often follow later in the weekend.
As years passed however, as the once young and energetic Second
Generation aged into their late twenties and early thirties, the
second and third hikes were dropped and even the Saturday morning
hike became more of a chore and much less of the aggressive and
adventurous hike it once was. Some of the guys still get excited
for it, there has been a sense that the hike has become more of
a nuisance than recreation. Rest assured though, hiking is always
an option for attendees! In 2010, with the Second Generation getting
older and now bringing their own wives, girlfriends, and children
to Turkey Run, there has been a renewed purpose for a second hike.
The first, of course remains by in large, the guys hike.
But later in the weekend, were seeing families with their
young Third Generation children venture along the less treacherous
trails of Turkey Run, just as the First Generation did with their
young children some 30 years prior. The group even visited the
popular Narrows Covered Bridge for the first time in 2010 renewing
a First Generation Turkey Run Tradition!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legend
has it that Serb Fests original Founding Member, Nikola
Sorak, an avid outdoorsman, explored many of the areas great
State Parks in search of great canoeing and hiking. Its
no surprise that after visiting Turkey Run State Park, there was
the immediate need to return year after year! The earliest photos
in the Serb Fest archives depict Serbs exiting an old school bus
with a cooler a familiar situation still today. The canoe
trip runs through Turkey Run and Shades State Parks and under
4 historic covered bridges on Sugar Creek. The creek, while beautiful,
is lazy. Depth, while obviously dependent on recent rainfall levels
is rarely more than waste deep and in areas is nearly too shallow
to float through. For years, the group booked trips through Turkey
Run Canoe Trips and often took on the challenging 15 mile
trip. A bag lunch was packed early in the morning consisting of
a sandwich, fruit, & chips. It was eaten at the half way point
of the trip or when the collective group was tired enough to stop
for a break. Upon arriving at "Turkey Run Canoe Trips",
the group would split into pairs for the trip. This system worked
well until 1999 when the pairing of Dan Fash & Nutz resulted
in what arguably was Dan's 4th near-death experience of the weekend.
(Rumor has it Nutz theatened to kill him with the oar for not
paddling enough). This was the beginning of the end for the traditional
15 mile canoe trip. The following year again was a little rough
for the group due to poor pairing of talent. OLAFs lack
of grace with the oar and Scotts deep seeded hatred for
water made for a disastrous experience!
In
2001, due to low attendance, but more importantly, an odd number
of attendees, the group opted for individual kayak rental. They
once again battled the 15 mile trip, despite the cool overcast
day. Since then, kayaking has been the preferred method of floating
down Sugar Creek for most. A canoe or two usually accompanies
the group. The following year, due to weather conditions and low
water levels, the group was forced to settle for the first ever
4 mile trip. While this left some feeling unsatisfied, most were
more than happy to accept the abbreviated trip. In 2003, due to
the persuasion of an overzealous Jovan, one last attempt was made
to make the full 15 mile trip. For the first time, beer was brought
to ease the pain of the trip. After all, for years, it had been
no secret that beer is commonplace on the creek. Most other mullet-sporting
men and their ladies could be found clutching a coozie as they
comfortably floated through the lazy current. The final decision
to do away with the 15 mile trip was made when the beer ran dry
after mile 2. 2004 marked the first official "Beer Float".
This consisted of a 4 mile float with almost NO PADDLING with
the exception of steering the kayaks to avoid down trees or other
minor obstacles. The goal, in addition to the obvious focus of
enjoying your cold beer was to extend the length of time it took
to complete the much shorter 4 mile trip. Unfortunately though,
again, beer ran dry by the end of mile 2. At this point, the challenge
of the trip was no longer for how long or how hard they could
paddle, but how many beers they could slide past the check-point
before boarding the old school bus. Two beers per person were
allowed, but with a group of 15 or more, it was often difficult
for the officials to determine the appropriate number of beers
allowed to accompany the large group. The beer was often disguised
by a few cans of pop or bottled water placed over the beer. By
the 2005, the group had become increasingly frustrated by the
two-beer limit (though they had far exceeded it every year). They
got wind of the local competitor, Sugar Valley Canoe Trips having
no limit on alcohol! While Sugar Valley offered quirks of its
own, namely running their trips on a different stretch of the
creek, no longer taking the group through Turkey Run State Park,
it was more than conducive to what had become the Annual Beer
Float.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
1998, there was an instance during the Saturday morning hike where
a group of the Second Generation guys encountered a man holding
a beer in a foam insulator, who was in the process of tripping
on some stairs. He exclaimed to those around him that he felt
like a "pud". It was at that time that we all took notice
of the abundance of white trash at Turkey Run. From that point
on, the group established TR as an acronym for Turkey Run as somewhat
of a tribute to white trash America, commonly referred to as WT.
The following year, partially as a mockery of, but also to pay
homage to the local Indiana folk, A-shirts were to
be worn by all attendees the entire weekend. Any other form of
mockery of this lifestyle was encouraged. Upon arrival Saturday
morning in 1999, the group took an impromtu photo sporting their
fresh "A-shirts" prior to the annual hike that would
traditionally kick off the weekend. A-shirts would go on to become
the unofficial apparel of the Second Generation and more importantly,
it would mark the birth of a new TR tradition. While aggressively
running though the hiking trails of Turkey Run, it was commonplace
for this group of men in their A-shirts to be questioned by onlookers,
Are you guys in the Army?. By the end of the 2000s,
while wearing your A-shirt all weekend would certainly be looked
upon positively, realistically, theyre now worn exclusively
for the hike and occasionally around the grill site immediately
following the hike or during Sundays Beer Float.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
evidenced by the great number of historic photos in our collection,
group photos were very popular in the early days of Serb Fest.
While it is unclear as to what percentage of total attendees these
photos represent, the intent is clear. In 2008, the tradition
was resurrected with the first FULL GROUP photo in Serb Fests
recent history. While the opportunity to capture a group photo
was missed in 2009, a concerted effort was made in 2010 to once
again capture a Serb Fest group photo. Rest assured we will continue
to put forth the effort year after year to capture this great
representation of our group!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Further
evidence of the groups affinity to mock White Trash America
became apparent in the growing repertoire of music that was becoming
the Soundtrack of TR. The
genres of Southern Rock & Bluegrass music were featured in
2004s Fire & Ice Extravaganza Documentary.
Popular artists included Govt Mule, The Why Store and Bela
Fleck & The Flecktones. A series of online audio releases
have followed providing new tracks for the group to enjoy that
are Inspired by the Spirit of Turkey Run.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
Serbian flag was first introduced in 2005 as a surprise from Jovan.
A brilliant addition, it stood as a constant reminder of our celebration
of Serbian culture and cuisine at Turkey Run. A suitable branch
was found in the wooded area of the Park to act as the flag's
pole. The flag is typically affixed to a light pole or other structure
with the help of duct tape. In 2010, the group was slightly over-confident
and left the flag flying overnight and nearly lost the flag to
Park authorities. It was fortunately recovered. Unfortunately,
the flag was once again lost in 2012 and unable to be recovered.
We do however, expect to have a replacement flag flying proudly
at TR 2013!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
first Indian Head Dress was introduced at TR 2001 by Dan Boskovic.
He purchased the head dress at Cherokee Village Campground, just
minutes outside of TR. Saturday evening, the practice of passing
the head dress around the group and posing for photos became tradition.
The original head dress reappeared in 2002 but did not make it
back to TR 2003 because of Dan's absence. In 2004, Dan introduced
a new head dress, once again purchased at Cherokee Village Campground
and once again bringing great spirit to the group, especially
to the Hall of Famers. With the original Head Dress having been
so well received by the Hall of Famers in 2001 and 2002, its absence
in 2003 seemed symbolic of the greater absence of the Hall of
Famers themselves. With the Second Generation having felt that
an era had come to an end in 2003, and even choosing to retire
the term Serb Fest, when the Hall of Famers returned
in 2004 and with the introduction of a new Head Dress, it was
once again a display of great symbolism This time of the
Rebirth of Serb Fest! Both Head Dresses continue to make the rounds
as new attendees are introduced to Serb Fest and while many of
us have posed for many a photo wearing them, it never seems
to get old!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bocce
was brilliantly introduced at TR 2001 Observed, thanks to OLAF
and was immediately embraced for the simple fact that it was a
low stress, highly competitive game that one could effectively
hold a solo cup while playing. In 2006, Bags were introduced and
soon dominated the competitive spirits of attendees. While for
a period of several years, games were a central activity near
the grill-site, they have been a dying tradition since approximately
2010 - presumably due to the increased responsiblity of many of
the adults to watch after the many new young children in attendance.
My guess is that they'll make a come back at some point in the
future!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Award
Archive >
Rookie
of the Year honors were first given in 2003. There are a number
of qualities that can earn you these honors depending on the competition.
While there have been uncontested recipients of the award, being
the lone rookie in a given year does not automatically earn you
the honor. One must still exhibit a satisfactory display of the
Tenets of Turkey Run.
Also
first awarded in 2003, the Cevapcici Consumption Award was
created to encourage out-of-control consumption of cevapcici.
Brian Kelley, its first recipient, secured the award by consuming
more than 50 Serbian Sausages in less than 2 days. However, impressive
single servings, or an exceptional appreciation for this quintessential
TR menu item may earn you the honors as well.
The
Intellectual of the Year was first awarded to one-time
TR attendee, Vince Kus in 2004. This of course, is not awarded
for true intellect, but rather for more or less, marching
to the beat of your own drummer. In 2008, the award was
renamed in honor of its original recipient and the greatest intellectual
of our group to ever grace Serb Fest.
Most
Improved, first awarded to Nutz in 2003, is only awarded upon
there being an appropriately deserving attendee. Achieving this
honor is the expected goal for any attendee earning a demerit
his/her previous year. This precedent was set following Nutzs
2002 demerit.
First
awarded in 2005, the Golden Cevapcici
Award is coveted by all. The highly sought after pile
of plaster meat is generally awarded biennially (every two years)
to the attendee who best exemplifies the Tenets of Turkey Run
while particularly displaying year-round Spirit for Turkey Run.
It has also served as somewhat of a lifetime achievement
award for some of its recipients. The award is to be proudly
displayed in the recipients home for the two year period
before being returned to Turkey Run for the next presentation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TR ONLINE | OVERVIEW | HISTORY | PROFILES | COUNCIL | CODE
OF ETHICS
SOCIAL
© 2003-2023 Turkey Run :: Serb Fest - Online
All rights reserved.
|