Having a summer birthday is a turkey's first lucky break: In July, the National Turkey Federation chairman randomly takes 25 newly hatched turkeys out of regular production (where they would be prepped for supermarket shelves) and sends them to a VIP barn instead. There,the birds are groomed for the White House pardoning ceremony and a Thanksgiving parade at Disneyland.

The birds go through rigorous training so they won't spook easily. Farm handlers pick them up to simulate placing the bird on the pardoning table. Last year, the turkeys toured schools so they'd get used to crowds.

A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, Disneyland mails the Turkey Federation chairman a CD of the music that will be played at the parade. He plays the music around the clock in the barn (this year it's in Modesto, CA) so the birds get accustomed to the loud sounds they'll hear.

After months of preparation, the turkeys stand before the chairman, who handpicks the most obedient and handsome bird to attend the ceremony. The chairman also chooses a backup in case Turkey No. 1 gets stage fright, and he helps select names for the birds (last year's names were Courage and Carolina). Turkeys who don't make the cut go to local charities.