South Dakota turkeys to tour Huron before departing for Washington, D.C.

For the first time in 71 years, two South Dakota turkeys will travel to Washington, D.C. for the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation.

But before the birds take flight, they will first embark on a grand Presidential Turkey Tour of Huron next week.

The tour will begin Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau for a presentation. The event will be open to the public.

The turkeys will then be driven on a specially prepared trailer to

five area elementary schools and introduced to students who will be asked to submit possible names for the birds, which will then be sent to the White House for consideration.

After the tour, the turkeys will rest before their trip to Washington where they will stay in a luxury room at the Willard InterContinental Hotel to await their historic meeting.

President Donald Trump will pardon they turkeys on Thanksgiving.

The turkeys were chosen this year because Jeff Sveen of South Dakota is the chairman of the National Turkey Federation. He will present the bird to President Trump.

They are being raised near Huron by Dakota Provisions.