Ahead of Thanksgiving, two lucky turkeys got a reprieve from New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way.

During a Nov. 26 turkey pardoning ceremony at Stew Leonard’s in Clifton, “Pinot” and “Prosecco” were officially spared from the holiday dinner table.

“This act of compassion by The Garden State grants the birds freedom, allowing them to live out their days peacefully on a local New Jersey farm,” a spokesperson said.

Way, who also serves as secretary of state, was joined by Stew Leonard Jr., president and CEO of the family-owned grocery chain, as well as local officials including Clifton Mayor Ray Grabowski.

Kicking off Thanksgiving at @StewLeonards in Clifton by pardoning Prosecco and Pinot Noir!

Wishing everyone a relaxing holiday season and a happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 pic.twitter.com/GJOdRTrSvI

— Lt Governor Tahesha Way (@LtGovWay) November 26, 2024

The occasion marked the second time Way participated in a turkey pardon at Stew Leonard’s. It was also the third time Stew Leonard’s held such an event. Previous ceremonies were hosted at the chain’s Paramus store in 2023 and 2019.

This year’s celebration came two days after the traditional National Thanksgiving Turkey pardoning in Washington, D.C., where President Joe Biden granted executive clemency to Peach and Blossom.

The other turkeys at Stew Leonard’s weren’t quite as lucky.

Each Thanksgiving, the chain says it sells nearly 20,000 birds to customers at its eight locations across the tri-state area.

This year, as part of an annual holiday effort, Stew Leonard’s donated nearly 3,000 turkeys to local community organizations to help less fortunate families have a happy holiday meal.

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