WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump greeted tens of thousands of attendees at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday. He expressed gratitude to the National Park Service for the event’s appearance.
He mentioned that over 40,000 individuals were anticipated to join in.
“Happy Easter to all,” the president was seen between his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, and the Easter Bunny Mascot on the White House balcony. “Yesterday was a nice day. Today is another lovely day. You don’t need to be concerned about sunburn, but thankfully it isn’t rainy.”
The President and First Lady explored the Egg Roll area, where he initiated several races, blowing a golden whistle bearing the presidential seal. They also engaged with children at a station that allowed them to write cards to service members. Later, Melania Trump read “Bunny with a Big Heart” in the reading area, a story about a special rabbit who, after an injury, learns to be caring towards its family.
Children using wooden spoons engaged in competition by dyeing pink, blue, yellow, and green boiled eggs on the lawn and at the finish line. In some instances, instead of rolling the eggs on the ground, they opted to paint them mid-air, with at least one wooden spoon soaring through the sky.
Among the participants were several of Trump’s grandchildren and the children of his son Don Jr.
At a dedicated station celebrating America’s 250th anniversary next year, families and children had the chance to sign a mini Declaration of Independence and dress up as the nation’s founders. The day’s festivities included various activity stations, live entertainment, and storytelling.
Trump extended a “special thanks” to his wife for her efforts in hosting the yearly celebration.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to the National Park Service,” he stated. “They do everything to make this place so stunning and enjoyable. It’s quite challenging, I assure you. … They did an extraordinary job. You just need to look around.”
American Eggboard, a key sponsor for nearly 50 years and leading for the last decade, contributed 30,000 hand-dyed eggs prepared by board members and volunteers.
She acknowledged the concerns of both egg farmers and consumers regarding the egg shortages caused by avian flu and the high costs of purchasing dozens of eggs.
The Mets indicated that the 2,500 dozen eggs provided to the White House included small and medium sizes that are not typically sold in stores, thus not adding further pressure on supply or driving up prices. She mentioned that 9 million dozen eggs are sold daily in the United States.
“We believe it’s important to take a moment to celebrate when we can. Easter can’t happen without eggs, and the White House Easter egg rolls can’t occur without actual eggs,” Mets commented in an interview.
Trump also touched on subjects unrelated to Easter during his short speech, like the advantages of recruiting for the military, police, and fire departments. He also remarked that religion has “returned to America.”
The Egg Roll is one of the oldest traditions at the White House, established by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878 after Congress prohibited egg rolling on Capitol grounds.
Tickets for the event on Monday were allocated via a lottery system.
