This year's turkey, Aidan Cluckinson, is named in honor of Detroit Lions Pro Bowl defensive end and Michigan native Aidan Hutchinson. Nearly 4,500 entries were submitted during this year's turkey naming contest. The winning name was submitted by Valentina from South Lyon. Whitmer has pardoned three turkeys since 2022.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is joining community members in pardoning a turkey for this Thanksgiving holiday.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is joining community members in pardoning a turkey for this Thanksgiving holiday. The celebration begins this afternoon and the turkey will receive Gov. Whitmer’s pardon and travel to the Saginaw Children’s Zoo.

Aidan Cluckinson' is the third turkey Governor Gretchen Whitmer has pardoned since taking office. Cluckinson joins the ranks of Dolly Pardon and Mitch E. Gander in the lineup of recent pardoned turkeys before Thanksgiving.

Last year, the governor pardoned Dolly Pardon, who was selected from more than 3,900 entries in the statewide contest. In 2022, the governor pardoned Mitch E. Gander.

Governor Whitmer participated in the annual turkey pardoning ceremony on Thursday. Whitmer pardoned the “Aiden Cluckinson” named after Lions Defensive End Aidan Hutchinson. Cluckinson is now on the way to their permanent home at the Saginaw Children's Zoo.