Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced Michigan’s annual Turkey Pardon, inviting residents to help name two turkeys that will be spared this Thanksgiving. Citizens can submit as many name ideas as they like through an online voting form, as reported by FOX 17.
The Michigan governor's office is asking residents, especially young people, to suggest names for this year’s turkey pardon, a tradition that started in 2022 before Thanksgiving. Name submissions are due on Sunday at midnight. Governor Whitmer said, "Thanksgiving is a time to spend quality time with your loved ones, and the annual turkey pardon is a tradition I always look forward to. I look forward to reviewing all the fun, creative names that Michiganders come up with this year. Submit your name ideas and find out if you picked the winner to be pardoned next week!" according to the Office of the Governor.
The upcoming turkey pardon on November 18 continues a tradition of giving turkeys playful names. Past honorees include "Aidan Cluckinson" in 2024, "Dolly Pardon" in 2023, and "Mitch E. Gander" in 2022. After the pardon, Aidan Cluckinson was sent to the Saginaw Children’s Zoo to live out its post-pardon life, as per WILX.
