The 144th annual White House Easter Egg Roll is set to take place, continuing a long-standing tradition that dates back to the 1870s where children push hard-boiled eggs with wooden spoons across the White House South Lawn. Despite political polarization and global conflict, the event has persevered, even during times of war and pandemics. However, this year, controversy arose as Republicans criticized the White House for recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday, leading to a war of words between the two parties.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are gearing up for their third Easter Egg Roll, with the theme centered around education. Volunteers have been working diligently to prepare the South Lawn and Ellipse for the event, expecting around 40,000 visitors, including military and veteran families. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in various school-themed activities and egg-related games, despite the forecast of rain. The president and first lady, along with special guests and costumed characters, are planning to attend the event.
Over 64,000 eggs will be featured in various activities during the Easter Egg Roll, with 40,000 dyed eggs supplied by Braswell Family Farms and an additional 24,000 eggs from Sauder’s Eggs. The American Egg Board is set to present the first lady with a commemorative egg, designed by master egg artist Carolyn Bickel. The decoration process involves intricate steps, ensuring that the eggs are artfully designed in time for the event. The tradition of gifting a commemorative egg to the first lady dates back to the Carter administration and continues to be a meaningful gesture.
The history of the egg rolling tradition began in the 1870s on US Capitol grounds, eventually moving to the White House South Lawn in 1878 after law changes prohibited egg rolling on the Capitol grounds. The tradition has since become a collaboration between the White House, the White House Historical Association, and the National Park Service. Former first ladies like Florence Harding and Grace Coolidge have played their part in preserving the tradition, with Eleanor Roosevelt overseeing the event during her husband’s presidency.
Previous administrations, such as the Obama and Trump administrations, have put their own spin on the Easter Egg Roll, using the event to promote various initiatives and entertain attendees. Past events have featured performances by celebrities like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, as well as appearances by power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z. The Egg Roll took a brief hiatus due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, making this year’s event a highly anticipated return for families and children. Despite political tensions and controversies, the White House Easter Egg Roll endures as a cherished tradition that brings joy to all who attend.
