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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed children to a rainy White House on Monday for some egg-citement – the first Easter Egg Roll of their tenure.
‘Welcome to your house. The people’s house. Happy Easter!’ Dr. Biden told the crowd before introducing her husband.
It was 46 degrees and drizzling when the Bidens walked out on the Truman Balcony, flanked by two Easter bunnies.
‘My job was to keep it from raining for another two minutes,’ the president joked. ‘All of you have fun today … thank you and happy happy Easter!’
The annual Easter Egg Roll returns to the White House after a two-year absence due to the COVID pandemic.
The first lady, a community college professor, gave the event an education theme – or ‘EGGucation’ as she called it.
‘Education never stops,’ she told the crowd Monday. ‘So we turned the South Lawn into a school community.’
She and the president expect to welcome some 30,000 kids and adults for the traditional rolling and hunting eggs.
Among the crowd were family members including first son Hunter Biden, his wife Melissa and baby Beau, along with first daughter Ashley.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed children to a rainy White House on Monday for some egg-citement – the first Easter Egg Roll of their tenure
Hunter Biden (center) and his wife Melissa Cohen (left) hold hands with baby Beau as they arrive at Monday’s White House Easter Egg Roll
President Joe Biden plays referee during Monday’s White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn
The Bidens and the Easter bunnies listen to the national anthem at the top of their appearance at Monday’s Easter Egg Roll
Actress Kristin Chenoweth read a story about a rescue dog at the Reading Nook at Monday’s White House Easter Egg Roll
Jimmy Fallon (right) reads a book alongside First Lady Jill Biden (left) and President Joe Biden (center) at the Reading Nook at Monday’s White House Easter Egg Roll
The Bidens’ German Shepherd puppy Commander got a sneak peak at the Easter Egg Roll decorations on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday morning
This year marks the first Easter Egg Roll in two years – previous ones did not take place due to the covid pandemic
Decorations depicting the Bidens’ dog Commander and the Resolute Desk on the South Lawn
The Bidens expect to welcome 30,000 people to the White House on Monday
A topiary bunny is part of the decorations
Kids roll eggs with a wooden spoon – one of the traditional Easter Egg Roll games
The Racing Nationals from the Washington Nationals Baseball team were on hand for the Easter Egg Roll
Staff get wooden eggs and spoons ready for the egg roll game
But, in keeping with the education theme, this year’s event will feature a School House Activity Area, Reading Nook, Talent Show, Field Trip to the Farm, Picture Day, and a Physical ‘EGGucation’ Zone.
The first family spent the holiday weekend at Camp David while staff prepared the South Lawn for event.
Numerous special guests were on hand, including Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, singer Ciara, and actress Kristin Chenoweth.
Chenoweth was reading a story about a rescue dog at the Reading Nook, while Fallion mingled on the South Lawn driveway, taking in the president and first lady’s remarks.
Roaming the White House grounds will be the Philadelphia Eagles, the Racing Presidents from the Washington Nationals, Cookie Monster, Miguel Rivera from Coco, Milkshake the Cow, Cat in the Hat, Snoopy and Charlie Brown.
The first lady also invited crew members and families from the U.S.S. DELAWARE, the U.S. Naval Submarine, for which she is the sponsor.
Members of the general public received their tickets through an online lottery.
This year’s official White House Easter Egg – which is made of wood – features first pup Commander and new White House cat Willow alongside the traditional bunny.
This year’s official White House Easter Egg – which is made of wood – features first pup Commander and new White House cat Willow alongside the traditional bunny
The White House Easter Egg Roll dates back to 1878 – presidents have made additions; Ronald and Nancy Reagan (above) began the tradition of the wooden egg as an official keepsake
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump watch children participating in the traditional egg roll during the 2019 event
President Barack Obama helps a youngster out at the 2012 Easter Egg Roll
This marks the first year the Bidens will host an Easter Egg Roll.
Last year, due to the COVID pandemic, they posed for photos on the South Portico balcony with the Easter Bunny – both Bidens and the mascot wore face masks – and the president made remarks.
‘We look forward to next year when the White House will ring with joy the season once again,’ he said at the time. ‘And they’ll be an Easter Egg Roll, God willing.’
The first White House Easter Egg Roll took place on April 22, 1878 after President Rutherford B. Hayes agreed to open the White House Grounds on Easter Monday.
It has been canceled in times of national distress such as World War II and the covid pandemic.
Presidents have made their own marks on the event: President Grover Cleveland started the egg roll, President Benjamin Harrison added music to the event, and President Ronald Reagan began the tradition of the wooden egg as an official keepsake.
Source: Daily Mail
