The Minnesota-born turkeys weigh 40 and 41 pounds. They were hatched July 18 in Northfield, Minnesota, and raised on a farm by John Zimmerman, president of the National Turkey Federation, and his 9-year-old son Grant, who introduced the birds at an event in Washington.

Zimmerman told reporters Sunday that raising the birds provided additional training in staying calm in an urban environment. The White House event generally includes a speech from the president, a few jokes and the chatter of dozens of cameras in addition to the normal city traffic noises.

“To prepare these birds for the crowds they will experience in DC, we got them used to lights and cameras and even introduced them to a wide variety of music, from polka to classic rock. Grant and some of the other kids from our neighborhood, some of whom were able to join us here today, have done a great job raising these turkeys so they’re comfortable and ready for the big event at the White House ,” Zimmerman said.