A different turkey feast

Farm Sanctuary hosts a “Celebration for the Turkeys” Saturday with pies, greens and fruit for the large white birds.

The event has been going for more than 20 years and provides fun and amusement to families who visit, according to California shelter director Leanne Cronquist.

Close to 200 visitors are expected at the 350-acre sanctuary farm near Orland, and most have pre-registered, she said. However, a waiting list is being filled out on Farm Sanctuary’s Web site for those who hope to come to the last event of the season.

People will register at 11 a.m. and tour the ranch at noon, Cronquist said. The feeding ceremony begins at 1 p.m. under a large oak tree.

The birds will dine on pumpkin pie, squash and cranberries among other goodies.

“It is a big moment for them,” she said. “They get very excited at feed time.”

Besides the turkeys, visitors will see the chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese, cattle, goats, sheep and burros living at the sanctuary.

After the tours, those attending will have a vegan dinner at 2 p.m. and listen to guest speakers like “Bones” actress Emily Deschanel, Farm Sanctuary cofounder Gene Baur and “Herbivore” magazine creator Josh Hooten.

Farm Sanctuary kicks its “Adopt-a-Turkey” project into gear each November where people can sponsor rescued turkeys living at its shelters in California and New York.

Sponsors can help pay for the birds’ feed, bedding and veterinary care, and for a one-time $25 donation, sponsors will receive an official adoption certificate with a photo of their turkey, a one-year membership with Farm Sanctuary and a subscription to its quarterly magazine, officials said. Turkey adoptions make great holiday gifts, they added.

Weekend tours of the farm will resume next spring to the general public, she said.

Farm Sanctuary is located on Newville Road eight miles west of Orland across from Black Butte Lake.

For more information, call 865-4617 or visit the Web site at www.farmsanctuary.org.