Each year, approximately 46 million turkeys are killed and eaten for Thanksgiving. At Farm Sanctuary, where we know turkeys are friends and not food, we mark this holiday in a kinder way. We host two compassionate holiday celebrations at which our rescued turkey residents are the guests of honor!

On November 4 and November 18 at our Watkins Glen and Los Angeles sanctuaries respectively, we opened our doors to guests to enjoy festive feasts and community connection as we all toasted to turkeys. 

Farm Sanctuary thanks our generous Corporate Event Sponsor, Beyond Meat, and Sponsors Treeline, Rock Hill Bakehouse, Nuts for Cheese, and Wegmans. Our gratitude goes out to our many dedicated volunteers who make compassionate events like this possible.

To protect our residents from deadly bird flu, our time-honored tradition of the Feeding of the Turkeys was held virtually this year, but guests were all smiles as they watched heartwarming footage of the turkeys enjoying a tasty meal prepared just for them.

Human guests enjoyed a feast of their own. Watkins Glen guests were served a delicious main course from Binghamton’s Parlor City Vegan, including Shaved Cranberry Maple Glazed Roasted Seitan Turkey. Farm Sanctuary Chef Gail Patak served up mashed potatoes and local mushroom gravy, mushroom and vegan sausage stuffing, and much more. Impressive charcuterie boards featured vegan cheeses by TreeLine and Nuts for Cheese and Chef Patak’s Red Bean Pepperoni and Apple Sage Chickun Sausage with Pesto. Desserts included a Pumpkin Mousse Trifle and an Upside Down Caramel Apple Cake.

In Los Angeles, guests savored mouthwatering dishes by Veggie Grill: a festive Holiday Sandwich with vegan turkey gravy and homemade cranberry-apple stuffing plus Truffle Mac n Cheese, All Hail Kale Salad, and Crispy Cauliflower Balsamic Brussels Sprouts. It’s not over until sweets are served, and Veggie Grill’s out-of-this-world carrot cake rounded out the feast.

Moving presentations engaged the crowds. In Los Angeles, KTLA News Anchor Lu Parker was the exciting moderator of our event and presented our speakers, including Gene Baur and keynote speaker Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat Founder & CEO. 

We were joined by special guests Moby, Harley Quinn Smith, and Jackson Galaxy.

In Watkins Glen, Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur and CEO Ellen O’Connell spoke about our lifesaving rescue efforts, the turkey residents who call Farm Sanctuary home, and our ongoing mission to transform our food system.

Plus, Gene Baur signed books for many inspired guests in both New York and California. Guests, children, and adults took part in enriching the lives of our rescued residents, making enrichment activities for the turkeys and other birds. They hand-painted beautiful wooden mirrors and chimes.

Of course, guests also enjoyed time with our rescued residents, meeting these inspiring ambassadors for millions of farm animals.

Browse more photos from these compassionate celebrations!

There is always room at the table for kindness, and we are so thankful that, once again this year, we were in such compassionate company at our Celebrations for the Turkeys.