NANTUCKET, MASS. (WHDH) - As President Joe Biden prepares to spend Thanksgiving on Nantucket with his family, residents on the island say they’ll be ready for the swarm of attention — but that he’s just another regular customer.
The president and first lady stepped off Airforce One around 7 p.m. Tuesday to continue a four-decade-old tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving on the island. Biden has been visiting the island since before he was a senator.
Bill Puder, the owner of Faregorund restaurant, said he has cooked the Bidens their Thanksgiving dinner for more than 20 years.
“It started 21-years-ago when Jill called me up and asked me if I could cook Thanksgiving for their family and I said, ‘No problem,” he explained. “The tradition kept going on and on.”
A presidential trip comes with military support planes and a large contingent of secret service and state police who are working alongside Nantucket police officers.
Leah Bayer, the owner of Aunt Leah’s Fudge, said she was preparing Biden’s favorite blend — chocolate cocoanut.
“I already got word he’s coming here with his grandkids and the family,” Bayer said. “He’s been a regular customer of mine before he even became Vice President. I only know him as Joe.”
They will be staying with family friend David Rubenstein until Sunday.
The Biden’s annual New England tradition has only been interrupted a few times over the years — most recently because of the pandemic.
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