
A vibrant buzz of “EGG-ucation” will envelop the White House this Monday, as an anticipated crowd of 40,000 people, an uplift of 10,000 from the previous year, gather for the annual Easter Egg Roll. The White House’s East Colonnade is already showcasing a colorful array of decorations symbolizing the forthcoming festivities that echo a tradition initiated way back in 1878.
Jill Biden, esteemed veteran educator and First Lady, is putting an innovative, “EGG-ucational” spin on this year’s White House Easter Egg Roll. Invigorated by the backdrop of the lush South Lawn and the stately Ellipse, children will encounter a variety of engaging activities spread across designated stations. The intent, as announced by the White House, is to instill insights about farming techniques, the essence of maintaining a balanced diet, and the importance of regular exercise, all while wrapping the day in learning and fun.
Hard-boiled eggs will still caper across the lawn towards a finish line, adhering to the tradition that constitutes the very core of the event. In the midst of all these exciting activities, the anticipation of hosting about 40,000 participants for this “EGG-ucational” theme couldn’t be higher.
Opting for an unbroken continuation of this age-old tradition, the White House next week opens its welcoming gates to an influx of kids on the South Lawn. A meticulously assembled large schoolhouse right on the lawn plans to serve as a hub of activities that spotlight disciplines like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – also known as STEM. Kids will be offered the chance to construct circuit-breakers, arrange a simulated fossil dig, and even pen notes of gratitude for U.S. troops and first responders, in collaboration with Operation Gratitude, a charitable organization.
The roll call of guests includes thousands of military families and veterans and their caregivers and survivors, who are all eager to join in on the day’s festivities. Members of the general public who claimed their tickets through an online lottery will be admitted in nine waves from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The East Colonnade of the White House already features an array of eggs designed by children of military members, all poised eagerly for the Easter Egg Roll.
This Monday’s “egg-stravaganza” will mark the third Easter egg roll hosted by President Joe Biden and the First Lady, who continues to teach English and writing at a northern Virginia community college. The event was shelved in 2021, during Biden’s initial year in office due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The history of the White House Easter Egg Roll traces its roots back to 1878, under the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes. The decision to open up the lawns of the White House to children for this delightful event was taken after the young ones were nudged out of the U.S. Capitol grounds. This cherished tradition has since only bloomed, transforming the White House lawns into a festive nucleus of learning encapsulated in fun.