Just a couple weeks before the White House Spring Garden Tour, the Easter Egg Roll is another annual tradition that’s actually a race where children push a hard-boiled egg across the South Lawn of the White House using only a long-handled spoon. Usually, the Easter Bunny makes an appearance and a few cabinet members read a few children’s stories.

The Easter egg roll was moved to the White House in 1887 by President Rutherford B. Hayes after Congress ended the tradition at its first location, the US Capitol, two years earlier.  The roll was also canceled during World War II under FDR’s presidency, but was revived during the Eisenhower administration, and, for the first time, open to African-American children.

The White House Easter Egg Roll
South Lawn of the White House
Ellipse Visitor Pavilion – 15th and E Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 24-hour information line – 202-456-7041

Date and Time – Monday, April 9th from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tickets – The National Park Service will distribute free tickets beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 7 with small allotment of additional tickets at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, April 9. The tickets (limited to 5 per person), which are timed for entrance, will be distributed on a first-come basis.

If you can’t get tickets, check out another option for the kids.

Requirements – Every person must have a ticket and children of all ages are welcome to attend, however, there must be at least one child under eight years old and no more than two adults per group.

Nearest Metro subway station – Farragut West – Blue line, then a 4-block walk.

Photo credits: Child egg rolling – Flickr  __________________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler