ANAHEIM, Calif. – Better to be the main attraction than the main dish.

“Pumpkin” the turkey was honored as the grand marshal of Disneyland’s Thanksgiving Day parade Thursday, a day after being pardoned by President George Bush at the White House.

The 45-pound tom and National Turkey Federation Chairman Paul Hill then flew first-class from Washington to Los Angeles.

After the parade, Pumpkin and his backup bird, “Pecan,” moved into their winter residence next to the theme park’s seasonal display of live reindeer.

The two retired turkeys will live out their days at a coop for celebrity turkeys at Disneyland’s Big Thunder Ranch.

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