For over a century, children and parents have gathered on the White House’s South Lawn to partake in a spring tradition hosted by the First Family—rolling colorful hard-boiled eggs through the grass with long-handled spoons.
On Monday, the 138th annual White House Easter Egg Roll was made more accessible to accommodate a small group of students from the Henry Viscardi School, which educates children with disabilities. Special grooved matting helped Viscardi students to better maneuver around the lawn and scramble their eggs towards the finish line.
The students joined more than 35,000 invited guests—tickets are dispensed by lottery each year— in the president’s “backyard” to play the titular game and enjoy the day’s festivities, which included storytelling by the Obamas, sport events, and live music. Idina Menzel, Shaquille O’Neal, characters from “Sesame Street,” and Jay-Z and Beyoncé were among the celebrity guests.
Addressing the crowd from a balcony, the first lady celebrated the many different families in attendance. “It’s our diversity. It’s our values,” she said. “That’s what makes us strong.”
Thank you to Board member Peter Thomas for making what one parent described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” possible.