WASHINGTON − After enjoying a night in a glamorous 5-star hotel known for hosting presidents, two turkeys from Minnesota named Peach and Blossom strutted their stuff at the White House on the Monday of Thanksgiving Week.

Their fluffy white feathers complemented the elegant setting: The South Portico, a grand columned structure that is part of the executive mansion, overlooking the South Lawn.

This pair continues a cherished annual tradition where the President of the United States pardons a turkey, a practice that has been happening since 1989.

“Peach is making a last-minute plea here,” Biden joked, highlighting his final turkey pardon as president.

He noted that the turkeys received their names from the Delaware State Flower, the peach blossom, tying in the state’s long-standing peach growing tradition, with the peach pie being the state’s official dessert, a nod from the president who previously served as a senator from there.

“The peach blossom also represents perseverance, which is quite fitting in today’s context,” he remarked to laughter from the attendees, which included his Cabinet members, White House staff, and their families.

The nearly 17-week-old turkeys were raised by John Zimmerman, chairman of the National Turkey Federation, who was accompanied by his 9-year-old son Grant at the event. It is an established practice for the NTF chair to bring the turkeys for this ceremony.

While the formal turkey presentation tradition started in 1947 with President Harry Truman, many turkeys previously did not escape becoming dinner.

Truman was rumored to have thought the turkey would be useful for Christmas dinner.

Others, such as President John F. Kennedy, are known to have spared the delivered turkeys. However, it was President George H. W. Bush who formally started the turkey pardon tradition that we know today.

After introducing the turkeys, Biden humorously shared their quirks and interests. Peach, weighing around 42 pounds, enjoys consuming tater tot hotdish (a casserole popular in Minnesota), skiing, and follows the philosophy: keep calm and gobble on.

Blossom, on the other hand, has a soft spot for cheese curds, loves boxing, and aspires to visit all 10,000 lakes in Minnesota, with his personal mantra being: “No fowl play, just Minnesota nice!”

Biden praised the birds for journeying an impressive 1,100 miles to the White House in 16.5 hours, all while jamming to their favorite songs.

“Which apparently includes ‘Livin’ on a Prayer,’” he mentioned, referencing the Bon Jovi classic, bringing laughter to the crowd. “Well guys, your prayer is about to be fulfilled today due to your demeanor and dedication to being outstanding members of society. I hereby grant you the pardon, Peach and Blossom.”

Having enjoyed a lavish stay at the Willard InterContinental hotel, the turkeys will have to adjust back to a simpler life.

They are set to move to Farmamerica, an agricultural interpretive center in Waseca, Minnesota, where they will live out their days, possibly lamenting the loss of their luxurious lifestyle.