Peanut Butter and Jelly! Meet the turkeys President Joe Biden will pardon for Thanksgiving

WASHINGTON (WJLA) — Meet Peanut Butter and Jelly! The two turkeys were pardoned by President Joe Biden on Friday.

7News met the turkeys ahead of their big day at the Willard Hotel, where they have been staying while in Washington, D.C.

The National Turkey Federation first presented the National Thanksgiving Turkey to President Harry Truman in 1947. This year’s presentation marks the 74th anniversary of a tradition that has continued now through 14 successive administrations.

The annual presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the president of the United States has become a highly anticipated tradition in the nation’s capital, signaling the unofficial beginning of the holiday season.

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The presentation also highlights the contributions of America’s turkey growers as well as the important role of agriculture in modern America.

The 2021 National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate were raised by Indiana turkey grower Andrea Welp under the supervision of NTF Chairman Phil Seger. Seger serves as Vice President of Live Turkey Operations for Farbest Farms, Inc. headquartered in Jasper, Indiana.

Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., the National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate will spend the night before the presentation at the Willard InterContinental Hotel near the White House.

Following the presentation, the National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate will reside on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The turkeys will be under the care of poultry science professors, veterinarians and students within Purdue’s College of Agriculture, Department of Animal Sciences.

The National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate will be available for the public to visit and learn about the university’s teaching, research and outreach programs in animal and poultry sciences and veterinary medicine.

You can learn more about the history of the presidential pardon, here.