If turkeys could talk, two Alabama turkeys might describe Friday morning as the luckiest day of their lives.
Instead of ending up on a festive turkey platter, the two broad-breasted birds stood on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion and received something every Alabama Thanksgiving turkey can only dream of — a full pardon.
Governor Kay Ivey presided over the state’s 77th annual Turkey Pardoning ceremony, continuing one of Alabama’s longest-running holiday traditions. Before she could extend clemency, however, the turkeys needed names. That task fell to students across the state, who submitted patriotic-themed suggestions as part of a classroom civic engagement activity.
A public poll wrapped up at 9 a.m. on Friday with one clear winner: Fil & Buster, a nod to the political term “filibuster.” The governor announced the results and declared the pair officially pardoned.
Governor Ivey shared the historic event in a video posted to her social media:
Students from Montgomery Christian School and Riverchase Day School in Hoover attended the ceremony and watched the turkeys enjoy their moment in the spotlight.
The birds themselves came from Bates Turkey Farm in Fort Deposit, which has supplied Alabama’s annual pardoned turkeys since 1949 — making it one of the longest-running traditions in the event.
With their new freedom secured, Fil and Buster are now bound for a far gentler retirement than most holiday birds, spending their days in Alabama sunshine instead of on a Thanksgiving table.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.
