The hottest ticket in Washington this week involves spoons, eggs, referees, and a throng of cheering parents: It’s time for the 144th annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

Since the 1870s, children have participated in the time-honored, Americana custom of pushing brightly colored, hard-boiled eggs across the White House South Lawn with wooden spoons. They’ll do so again on Monday, celebrating a tradition that has withstood intense political polarization and global conflict – and even multiple world wars and pandemics.

Key Takeaways

Children have participated in the White House Easter Egg Roll since the 1870s, pushing hard-boiled eggs across the South Lawn with wooden spoons.

Political Polarization and Controversy

Political polarization has threatened to overshadow the event, with Republicans criticizing the White House for commemorating Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday.

Preparations and Activities

Staff and volunteers have prepared for the event, which is “EGGucation”-themed for the third year in a row. The South Lawn and Ellipse have been transformed into a school community, full of fun educational activities for children of all ages to enjoy.

All About the Eggs

The American Egg Board says there are 64,000 eggs on the South Lawn between the roll, the hunt, the food served, and other activities. Braswell Family Farms is supplying 40,000 hand-dyed, hard-boiled eggs for the festivities, with an additional 24,000 eggs from Sauder’s Eggs in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

History of the Egg Roll

The egg rolling tradition began in the 1870s on US Capitol grounds and continued on the White House South Lawn after President Rutherford B. Hayes allowed it in 1878. Former first ladies, including Florence Harding and Grace Coolidge, have participated in the event with their own unique contributions.

Recent Years

During the Obama administration, first lady Michelle Obama used the Egg Roll to promote her “Let’s Move” initiative, and the event featured performances by Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. The Trump administration saw a return to Egg Roll basics, with activity stations, egg, and cookie decorating, and costumed characters.

The Egg Roll took a two-year, pandemic-driven hiatus in 2020 and 2021. To this day, the event remains one of the only times of the year that the White House South Lawn is open to the public – with tickets – to enjoy.