buzzz worthy. . .
WASHINGTON
– On Wednesday, November 27, 2013, President Obama will pardon the
National Thanksgiving Turkey
in a ceremony on the North Portico. The President will celebrate the
66th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation,
reflect upon the time-honored traditions of Thanksgiving, and wish
American families a warm, safe, and healthy holiday.
The
President will pardon Popcorn and his alternate Caramel, both 20-week
old, approximately 38-pound turkeys. The names of the turkeys were
chosen from submissions from elementary
schools in Roseau County, Minnesota, where the turkeys were raised.
This year, the American public once again decided which of the two
turkeys – Caramel or Popcorn – would become the 2013 National
Thanksgiving Turkey by casting a vote for #TeamCaramel or
#TeamPopcorn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
National Turkey
Federation Chairman John Burkel of Badger, Minnesota, his wife Joni, and
their five children raised and selected the turkeys that will be
presented to President Obama.
Students from Badger High School in Badger, Minnesota, who joined the
Burkel family on their journey to Washington, D.C., will also be in
attendance at today’s ceremony.
After
the pardoning, the turkeys will be driven to George Washington’s Mount
Vernon Estate and Gardens. The National Thanksgiving Turkey will be on
display
for visitors during “Christmas at Mount Vernon,” a traditional program
through January 6. The turkeys will then travel to their permanent home
at Morven Park’s Turkey Hill, the historic turkey farm located at the
home of former Virginia Governor Westmoreland
Davis (1918-1922) in Leesburg, Virginia.
Jaindl’s Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pennsylvania, gave President Obama’s family two
dressed turkeys that will be donated to a local area food bank.
###