State of New Jersey Officially Pardons Turkeys In Clifton

Clifton, NJ – The State of New Jersey Lt. Governor Tahesha L. Way, Clifton Mayor Ray Grabowski, and other New Jersey officials joined Stew Leonard, Jr., in officially pardoning  two turkeys, “Pinot” and “Prosecco”, ahead of Thanksgiving. This act of compassion by the State of New Jersey granted the birds freedom, allowing them to live out their days peacefully on a local New Jersey farm. The event took place on Tuesday, November 26th at Stew Leonard’s, 467 Allwood Road, Clifton, NJ 07012.

The two turkeys being saved by the official pardon are fortunate to escape the fate of nearly 20,000 turkeys that Stew Leonard’s provides to local patrons across the tri-state each Thanksgiving.

The tradition of pardoning turkeys dates back to President Abraham Lincoln, with the modern White House ceremony beginning in 1989 under President George H. W. Bush.

Mayor Grabowski takes time out to address the crowd.