LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – A holiday tradition continued Thursday in Michigan’s capital city.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially pardoned the 2024 Thanksgiving turkey, aptly named Aidan Cluckinson after Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Earlier in November, the governor’s office put out the call to all Michiganders to submit names for the turkey being pardoned. Out of 4,486 entries this year, the winning name was submitted by Valentina from South Lyon.
Gov. Whitmer announced the official pardon on the capitol steps. She said the Lions’ perseverance through this football season can serve as an inspiration for all of us as we head into the holidays.
“You might argue with your uncle at Thanksgiving dinner, but no matter what, we can all find common ground around the Lions,” she said. “Now more than ever, it’s important that we come together. As we know, the tur-key to our success is teamwork. There are no foes or fouls.”
Aidan Cluckinson will be spared from the dinner table and live out the rest of her days at the Saginaw Children’s Zoo.
This is the third year Gov. Whitmer has pardoned a turkey for Thanksgiving, mirroring the longstanding tradition by the White House. The 2022 turkey was named Mitch E. Gander, and the 2023 turkey was named Dolly Pardon.
