Meet Gobble and Waddle: The Turkeys of the 78th National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony
The White House is preparing for the 78th National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony, where President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will officially pardon this year's turkeys. The turkeys, named "Gobble" and "Waddle," were chosen through a public voting process after submissions from North Carolina 4H and FFA students. Residents can vote for their favorite turkey by texting "Gobble" or "Waddle" to 45470 until November 24, 11:59 PM.
Both turkeys were raised in North Carolina under the care of National Turkey Federation Chairman Jay Jandrain and Butterball grower Travis Pittman. Upon their arrival in Washington, D.C., the turkeys stayed at The Willard InterContinental Hotel near the White House. After the ceremony, "Gobble" and "Waddle" will return to North Carolina to live at North Carolina State University's Prestage Department of Poultry Science, where they will serve as educational ambassadors for the state's turkey industry.
The annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony not only celebrates Thanksgiving but also highlights the significance of agriculture and the nation's turkey farming industry. The tradition showcases the importance of animal agriculture programs and the care provided to the turkeys throughout their journey.