March 23, 2009 2:59 PM

White House Easter Egg Roll Moves Tickets Online

By
Michelle Levi
Topics
White House
(AP)
The White House announced today that for the first time tickets to the annual Eastern Egg roll would be distributed online rather than handed out in person at the Ellipse for mostly Washington residents.

"For the first time, tickets for the Easter Egg Roll will be distributed online so that more children and families from across the United States have the opportunity to experience this event," a release from the White House said.

The Easter Egg Roll, a presidential tradition, will be April 13, the Monday after Easter. This year's theme is "Let's Go Play" to encourage healthy living.

The annual event allows children to visit the White House grounds Easter weekend to roll hard boiled eggs and take part in other seasonal festivities. This year children under the age of ten are welcomed to the South Lawn of the White House play sports, take cooking classes and listen to live musical performances and storytelling.

The Obamas have stressed the importance of opening up the White House to the Washington community – initiating a Neighborhood Inaugural Ball, visiting local schools and businesses and inviting school children to the White House. But this Easter local children will have to compete for tickets to the historic event.

Tickets will be available here starting March 26.

Add a Comment
by goldengolf April 12, 2009 8:52 AM EDT
If he is "opening up" the Whitehouse why is it there are no more tours of the Whitehouse?
Reply to this comment
by jediservant April 5, 2009 8:15 AM EDT
I don?t want to rain on anyone?s parade but I think Christian people that observe Easter should know that Easter is nothing more than Baptized Paganism.

Have you ever wondered why Easter is always on a different week each year? Have you ever wondered why eggs are used in the observance? Have you ever wondered where the word Easter came from?

The origin of Easter had nothing to do with Christ or what He did on the cross.

If you want to remember and observe the sacrifice that was freely given to those in Christ then read your Bible and find out when Yeshua (Jesus) offered Himself as the Lamb of God.

This was the time that was appointed by God, not man, to remember.

P.S. In case you have a Bible to read, it is called "Passover".
Reply to this comment
by MSmythe2009 March 26, 2009 1:42 PM EDT
Well, the egg roll IS an historic event (dating back to 1878). Given that Obama has opened the even up to the entire country (not just those who can travel to DC, then stand in line for up to 36 hours in the cold)..I personally feel that that's quite a deal, too.

Also, I'm not sure of the past events, but this time it's lasting all day (8-5) with many activities planned.

All in all, it IS a huge deal; his administration is bringing the White House back to the people of the country (although it seems a bit modeled on the Kennedy administration, but many of those who voted for Obama don't remember that anyway..but I digress).

I don't feel that he's being coddled and elevated unnecessarily in this case.
Reply to this comment
by valh1 March 23, 2009 5:55 PM EDT
Agree about opening up the White House again but isn't this "historic" nature of everything Obama starting to wear a little thin?
Reply to this comment
.

Follow Political Hotsheet

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...