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April 2007
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For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
April 9, 2007
2007 White House 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 in 1878. Successive Presidents have continued the tradition of inviting children to the South Lawn for egg rolling and other activities and entertainment. On occasion, the Easter Egg Roll has been cancelled, either due to inclement weather or in times of war (World War I and World War II).
Q. Is this event open to the public?
A. Yes. The majority of tickets to this year's White House Easter Egg Roll were distributed to the public on Saturday, April 7th. A smaller allotment of tickets were made available to the public on the morning of the event, Monday, April 9th.
Q. What is this year's theme?
A. This year's event will focus on physical fitness and ways to stay active and healthy. Film character Shrek and personal trainer and fitness expert Denise Austin will be on hand to lead attendees through fun and easy exercises kids can use to stay fit.
U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services (HHS) has joined DreamWorks Animation SKG and Ad Council to launch a public awareness campaign to help prevent childhood obesity. The campaign will include ads featuring characters from the Shrek animated movies encouraging children to "Be a Player: Get Up and Play an Hour a Day."
To learn more, children and adults can visit a booth set up by HHS as well as other agencies' booths, including U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), the National Park Service and USA Freedom Corps with information on sensible, realistic, and fun ways to stay fit, by eating healthy foods and playing at least one hour a day.
Q. Were any special groups invited to participate?
A. Yes. Mrs. Laura Bush has extended a special invitation through USA Freedom Corps to organizations that encourage youth participation in physical fitness and volunteer service, with an emphasis on activities in our public parks, lands and the outdoors
Q. How many people will attend the event?
A. Just under 18,000 tickets were distributed for this event.
Q. Who is hosting the 2007 Easter Egg Roll?
A. Mrs. Laura Bush will host this year.
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 7 or younger can take part in the egg roll. Children of all ages can enjoy the two reading corners, egg coloring, art activities, face painting, stage entertainment, music, magicians, and other activities. Strolling characters will interact with the children as they roam the South Lawn. At the reading corners, visitors will be treated to storytelling by authors of popular children's books, athletes, Cabinet members, and other senior administration officials.
Q. Who dyes the eggs? How many are dyed?
A. The American Egg Board provided approximately 7,200 real eggs for the annual Egg Roll activity. Another 3,000 dyed eggs were provided for the Egg Hunt, and an additional 4,200 were boiled and will be provided for children to dye at an activity area on-site.
Q. Who designed the art for the commemorative egg?
A. Bobbie Takashima, from National City, California, designed this year's commemorative wooden egg and the commemorative poster, as well as the artwork found in the tickets and program. Ms. Takashima has taught art worldwide, and has exhibited artwork at 25 national and international conventions.
Q. What will children receive upon departure from the Easter Egg Roll?
A.
- A commemorative White House wooden Easter egg
- An activity coloring book
- A White House bookmark
- A children's book
- A commemorative poster
- A piece of candy
- My American Journal booklet
Q. Who are the guest readers?
A.
- Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States
- Mrs. Lynne Cheney, wife of the Vice President of the United States
- Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce
- Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior
- Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services and Mrs. Jacalyn Leavitt
- Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs. Wendy Paulson
- Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education
- Stephen L. Johnson, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
- Mark Rosenker, Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board
- Joshua Bolten, Assistant to the President and White House Chief of Staff
- Mary Bomar, Director of the National Park Service
- Anita McBride, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady
- Stephen Baldwin, actor
- Kasey Kahne, NASCAR driver
- Kerri Strug, Olympic Gold Medalist
- Michelle Knudsen, children's book author of Library Lion and Cat Hat
- Mary Pope Osborne, children's book author of Magic Tree House #37: Dragon of the Red Dawn and American Tall Tales
- David Wiesner, children's book author of Flotsam and Tuesday
Q. Who are the entertainers?
A.
Easter Bonnet and Cottontail Stage
All for Kidz
Arne Dixon and his team of world-class yo-yo professionals perform an interactive show featuring dozens of outstanding yo-yo tricks. Their NED Show teaches three essential characteristics for becoming a champion in school and in life: Never Give Up, Encourage Others and Do Your Best.
Arizona Angels
This family-oriented dance troupe for children 2-19 performs for many charities, special events, and dance competitions throughout the country. The troupe requires each member to maintain healthy life habits and good grades. They also encourage the strong parental support that is crucial for both the child's and the team's success.
Billy Dean
Billy Dean credits his children as the inspiration for his introspective and candid song lyrics and for helping him to realize and re-focus on the joys of life. His new and expressive work has an energy that makes it easily accessible to his audience.
Flumpa and Friends Live!
Science Rocks with Wendy and Flumpa! Science, music, fitness and fun are blended in a unique and award winning show perfect for the whole family. The energy-charged shows involve the entire audience. Flumpa and Friends have performed at over 4,500 events and schools nationwide since 1995 and has won over 17 national awards.
Funky Mama
Funky Mama Music is a company devoted to writing and performing original funky music for kids. They believe music for children should be fun, clever, interactive, and loved by moms, dads, and grandparents, too! Krista "Funky Mama" Eyler has performed regularly in theatre productions in and around Kansas City for years and also sings professionally with the Dickens Carolers. Funky Mama blends rock n' roll, bluegrass, country gospel, funk, and fun on her high-energy CDs, Funky Mama Sings: Giggle Jiggle and Grandma's House.
Fusion
Fusion mixes a variety of elements - juggling, improvisation, theater, comedy, music and more – to create a performance that leaves audiences breathless! This all-star cast is made up of Jason Tardy, Michael Miclon and Matthew Tardy and has amazed audiences around the world, including in Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland and the Bahamas.
Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana
Miley Cyrus is a multi-platinum recording artist and the star of Disney Channel's hit series Hannah Montana. Miley stars as Hannah Montana, an average preteen girl who lives a secret life as a pop star. She'll be singing to you!
Denise Austin and Friends
Children and adults can join personal trainer Denise Austin, Shrek and their friends as they talk about fitness. They stress sensible, realistic, and fun ways to stay fit, by eating healthy foods and playing at least one hour a day.
Johnny and the Sprites
John Tartaglia brings years of experience to Johnny and the Sprites. He is a singer, dancer, Muppeteer and puppeteer whose past credits include The Book of Pooh, Bear in the Big Blue House, and Sesame Street. Coming from a show business family, John has been working since he was a child. Johnny and the Sprites is a show for children to watch – and dance and sing with. The Sprites are Ginger, Basil, Lily, Root, and Sage.
Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers – Joseph, Kevin, Nicholas - hail from Wyckoff, New Jersey. Inspiration for the group's songs comes directly from the boys' personal experiences--the highs and lows of dating, life on the road, and the opportunity to follow their dreams at such a young age. Before forming their band, the Jonas Brothers had appeared together in a series of commercials. As time went on, they found themselves spending more and more time writing songs and practicing together as a band. After a spectacular group audition for a record label, they were signed up on the spot.
Laughing Pizza
This musical family has been making music for families to share for more than 15 years. Their experience in writing children's music includes songs for Mary Kate and Ashley Olson, the Cartoon Network TV show Big Bag, and an entire CD of shape and counting songs called Make It Count, which has become part of the public school curriculum in several states. Four of Laughing Pizza's music and video releases have won Parents' Choice Awards.
Passing Zone
The Passing Zone's non-stop humor not only surprises audiences, but has them doubled over with laughter. Their act is unique, ground-breaking, hilarious, and makes for high-impact, out-of-this-world entertainment. They have set four Guinness World Records and have been Gold Medalists for five consecutive years at the International Juggling Championships!
Sesame Street (Elmo, Rosita and Gordon)
Sesame Street has been bringing laughter, fun and learning to children for 37 seasons. Elmo, the high-spirited, playful, imaginative, and ticklish monster, has a genuine curiosity and an optimistic view of the world around him, which has enchanted millions of all ages. Fellow resident Rosita is an exuberant, playful girl who draws from her Mexican heritage to teach her friends Spanish words and phrases. Along with their friend Gordon, they share a love of music and singing songs together- a central part of life on Sesame Street.
Shrek
Children and adults can join film character Shrek, personal trainer Denise Austin and their friends as they talk about fitness. They stress sensible, realistic, and fun ways to stay fit, by eating healthy foods and playing at least one hour a day.
Suzi Shelton
Calling all Rock -n- Roll Kids! Simply Suzi is rocking up a storm! Suzi grew up in Chesterland, Ohio where she was a dancer and a preschool teacher. After moving to New York City, she discovered adding music to the mix was a winning combination. Suzi Shelton has been a stand out among the kid-friendly musical performers since her days as an original member of the groundbreaking New York ensemble, The Imagination Workshop Band, and then Brooklyn's own Gillygaloo.
Magic Stage
The Magic Stage features some of the best children's magicians from around the country. Using magic and audience participation, these amazing magicians teach children important life lessons. They will be appearing on stage as well as strolling the grounds performing their mystifying feats of magic for small groups of children.
Featuring:
Dr. Eldoonie (Eldon D. Wigton)
Ralph the Great (Ralph Metzler)
Ken Scott
Adam Ace
Emanuel and Tintin the Bunny
James Wand
Mac King
Dean Alan Carnegie
Riz (Dave Risley)
Animal Stage
Peter Gros and Bobbi Colorado will introduce the audience to many live animals, including: a Great Horned Owl; a four foot Monitor Lizard; a scorpion; an African Crested Porcupine; and a giant bunny. These are provided by Dan Breeding of Wild Animal Encounters. Bobbi Colorado, has more than 35 years of experience of working with animals in TV, film and print productions.
Peter Gros has nearly 30 years of field experience with captive wildlife. In his former position as Director of Land Animals and Vice President at Marine World/Africa USA, he established breeding programs for 377 endangered animals. He also developed a rehabilitation program for birds of prey, as well as the largest captive breeding colony of ostriches in the United States. He is a licensed Exhibition & Animal Educator for the U.S.D.A. and an active member of the American Zoo and Aquariums Association and Zoological Association of America. Gros is also on the Board of Directors of the Suisun Marsh Natural History Association.
Strolling Characters
Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street
Amelia Bedelia
Arthur
B.B. Rabbit
Bobby Banana
Bookworm
Cera and Littlefoot from Land Before Time
Charlie Brown
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Corduroy
Cotton the Bunny
Curious George
Danny's Dino
Disney's Handy Manny
Feathers the Duck
Hopper from PBS Kids
Maestro Mouse
Max and Ruby
Maya and Miguel
Mouse from Give a Mouse a Cookie
Noddy from Make Room for Noddy
Nut Brown Hare
Patchy Panda
Penelope Pineapple
Peter Cottontail
Peter Rabbit
Pig from Give a Pig a Pancake
Piggly Winks from Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks
Ruff Ruffman from Fetch
Screech – Washington Natoinals Mascot
Snoopy
Spot
Terrence the Turtle
USDA Power Panther
Warner Bros. Studios' Bugs Bunny
Washington Nationals' Racing Presidents
Wild Things
Woodrow the White House Mouse
For more information, please visit the White House Web Site at /easter/2007/
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