Gov. Whitmer announces a naming contest for the 2024 turkey pardon

On Friday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the turkey naming contest for this year’s turkey pardon. Whitmer has pardoned a turkey before Thanksgiving since 2022.

“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,” said Governor Whitmer. “I look forward to judging all the fun, creative names Michiganders come up with this year. Submit your name ideas and find out if you picked the winner to be pardoned next week!”

Michiganders interested in submitting a name suggestion can contact this link. The deadline for submitting a name is Tuesday, November 12, 11:59 PM.

“Dolly Pardon” was selected from more than 3,900 entries in last year’s statewide contest. In 2022, Whitmer pardoned “Mitch E. Gander.”