WORTHINGTON - Bob and Ellen Hutchinson were on their way home to Muskego, Wis., and had stopped in Worthington to fill up their gas tank when Worthington Police Capt. Chris Dybevick approached Bob in the Cenex parking lot.
“I was thinking, maybe I did do something,” Bob remembered. “Maybe I had a burned-out bulb or something.”
Dybevick quickly assured him he hadn’t done anything wrong.
Instead, he asked if he would like to be “arrested” as part of the King Turkey Day celebration.
On their way back from a vacation to Little Big Horn, Mont., the Hutchinsons weren’t on a tight schedule and quickly agreed.
“As soon as he explained it, it sounded like fun. Maybe it was the officer’s personality,” Bob said with a laugh. “You almost want to get arrested by him. He’s really a friendly guy.”
Organized by the Worthington Chamber of Commerce Visitors Committee, Arrest a Guest has become a traditional part of the King Turkey Day activities.
“It’s a really great event, and it brings people to town that will tell others about Turkey Day,” said Holly Sieve, a committee member.
The Hutchinsons’ car was the second that Dybevick, Sieve and Denise Erwin, also a visitors committee member, pulled over.
“Last year it took quite a while, but this year it went fast,” Sieve said. “They are a great couple and are going to have a great time here.”
The couple will be participating in a number of King Turkey Day events including the parade, Mayor’s Breakfast and pig races, and will also have reserved seats for the featured speaker and the Great Gobbler Gallop.
Even though the couple isn’t from the area, this wasn’t their first time hearing about King Turkey Day - although they haven’t participated any activities before.
“We knew about Turkey Day because we had gone through here once before and had just missed the race,” Bob said. “We didn’t know anything about it, though, because that was a number of years ago.”
On past road trips, the Hutchinsons have driven through communities and saw signs for local events and activities but haven’t had the time to stop. This time, they were happy to embrace spontaneity and spend a little extra time in southwest Minnesota.
“It just seems interesting and a good way to end the vacation,” Ellen said. “I’ve been practicing my wave for the parade.”
Daily Globe Reporter Alyson Buschena may be reached at 376-7322.
