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April 2003
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 21, 2003
Fact Sheet: White House 2003 Easter Egg Roll Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long has this event been a White House tradition?
A.
President Rutherford B. Hayes officially opened the White House grounds
to local children for egg rolling on Easter Monday 1878. Successive
Presidents continued the tradition, and the event has been held on the
South Lawn ever since. The event has been canceled or moved on
occasion only due to poor weather conditions and during World War I and
World War II.
Q. Is this event open to the public?
A. The 2003 Annual White
House Easter Egg Roll will recognize and honor active duty and reserve
military service members and their families. This is a special
opportunity to pay tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces and an opportunity
for them to share the day here at the White House with their families.
Q. How many people will attend the event?
A. Tickets to
this year's event will be distributed exclusively to
military families through the Department of Defense. Attendance at
this
year's Easter Egg Roll is expected to be 12,000.
Q. What kinds of activities will guests participate in?
A. Easter Egg Roll activities begin on the Ellipse with food and
entertainment. On the White House South Lawn, children ages 8 or
younger
can take part in the egg roll. Children of all ages can enjoy the
reading
corners, egg coloring, art activities, music and several stage
shows
featuring Jeff Corwin and characters from children's educational
programming. Strolling characters will greet children as they roam
the
South Lawn, and the Springtime Traditions area will teach children
about
other cultures and countries. At the reading corners, visitors
will be
treated to storytelling by authors such as Mrs. Lynne Cheney,
Cabinet
members and other senior administration officials.
Q. Who dyes the eggs? How many are dyed?
A.
Approximately 5,400 real eggs were decorated by the American Egg Board
for the annual tradition. An additional 3,600 were boiled and will
be
colored by children during the Easter Egg Roll.
Q. Who designed the art for the commemorative egg? How
many are produced?
A. Eric Carle, author and illustrator of works
such as The Very Hungry
Caterpillar, from Northampton, MA, designed this year's wooden egg
as well
as the commemorative egg roll poster. Keepsake Easter Eggs will be
given
to each child as they depart the White House.
Q. What will Children receive upon departure from the
Easter Egg Roll?
A.
Q. Who are the guest readers and What will they read?
A.
Q. Which authors are reading on the South Lawn?
A.
Q. Who are the presenters and What are the performances?
A.
Q. Who are the Popular Children's characters on the South
Lawn?
A.
Q. What is Springtime Traditions?
A. Springtime
Traditions is an opportunity for people around the world to
share the spring traditions of their homelands through displays,
dress,
toys and games. This event will have its own area on the South
Lawn where
Easter Egg Roll participants may view the exhibit and ask questions
about
the countries from Embassy representatives and children.
Q. What Countries are participating in Springtime
Traditions?
A.
For more information, please visit the White House Web Site at WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV.
