THE 2013 WHITE HOUSE EASTER EGG ROLL
By: Â Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: Â George Whylie Videographer: Â Maxine Nolan ÂWhile children may love the brightly colored Easter eggs and the floppy ears of the symbolic bunny rabbit, they are also sad to see this holiday come to an end.
However, Easter is not over just yet.  The long-standing tradition dating back to 1878 of the White House Easter Egg Roll is coming up tomorrow, April 1, 2013, for children and adults alike and First Dog, Bo, cannot wait to get in on the action.
It is a full day of festivities as live music, sports courts, cooking stations, storytelling and Easter egg rolling round out the entire day. Â Children 13 years of age and younger may participate in the Easter Egg Roll along with their families. Â It all takes place on the South Lawn of the White House.
The theme of the day will be “Be Healthy, Be Active, Be You!” in line with First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative ‘Let’s Move!’Â Â Mrs. Obama is a big advocate of making sure our children grow up healthy and reach their full potential. Â The way that they do that is to lead active lives with lots of activity and exercise on a daily basis.
Those attending this historic event were chosen from an online lottery system for the fifth year in a row.
This year the souvenir eggs come in purple, blue, yellow and pink. Â They include the stamped signatures of the President and First Lady. Â A commemorative teal “BO” egg featuring the First Dog’s paw print is included only in the 2013 5-pack Collector’s Egg Set. Â All children that take part in the Easter Egg Roll will be given one of these all thanks to the National Park System who produces and sells them for the event.
The special guest star this year will be Robby Novak, “Kid President”. Â Although he is little more than pint size, he is a big comedian, motivational speaker and YouTube sensation.
Children will feel like they stepped into a storybook with costume characters from children’s shows and movies playing a big part in the events of the day. Â Here are the characters that anxious kids and their parents will have a chance to see tomorrow:
AbraKidabra — Bugs Bunny — Daffy Duck — Finn from Adventure Time — Jake from Adventure Time — Abby Cadabby -– Scooby Doo — Arthur — Buddy from Dinosaur Train — Cat in the Hat — Clifford the Big Red Dog — Curious George — Daniel Tiger — Martha from Martha Speaks – Maya – Miguel — Princess Presto –- Sid the Science Kid — Super WHY! — WordGirl — Smurf – Smurffette — Papa Smurf — Vexy from “The Naughties” Smurfs 2 movie — Hackus from “The Naughties” Smurfs 2 movie
Charlie Brown — Snoopy — The Racing Presidents–George — The Racing Presidents-Tom — The Racing Presidents-Abe — The Racing Presidents-Teddy—The Racing Presidents-Taft — Smokey Bear — Woodsy Owl — Sponge Bob — Dora the Explorer — Geo from Team Umi Zoomi
Milli from Team UmiZoomi — Jake from Jake and the Never Land Pirates — Sofia The First — Domino the Great — Captain Barnacles Bear from The Octonauts — Lt. Kwazii Kitten from The Octonauts — Papa Bunny — Mama Bunny — Junior Bunny
Babar — Badou — Witzy the Duck — Twig from the Wompkees — Olive The Osterich — Miffy the Bunny — Power Panther — Mr. Potato Head — Mrs. Potato Head — Wow Wow Wubzy — Captain Planet — Mike the Knight — Barney — Talking Tom — Talking Ben — Pac-Man — Little Olivia — Clicky — Maisy — Nutbrown Hare — Fairy Twinkletoes — Minion Tim from Despicable Me 2 — Minion Jerry from Despicable Me 2 — Belt from The Croods — Doki the Dog –- Washington Kastles -– Power Rangers
Along with the characters, here is the talent line-up that attendees will be able to look forward to:
Jordin Sparks, Austin Mahone, Coco Jones, Sesame Street, and The Wanted will perform on the Rockin’ Egg Roll Stage. Jessica Sanchez will sing the National Anthem. The Official Emcee of the 2013 White House Easter Egg Roll is Tommy McFly, who will introduce acts on the music stage on the ellipse. The United States Marine Corps Band will perform American classics.
Readers on the Storytime Stage will be NASCAR’s Danica Patrick, Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson, Elmo, Abby, Gordon and Rosita from Sesame Street, the full cast of Super Sprowtz, The Wanted, and actress Quvenzhané Wallis.
Chefs Flynn McGarry, B. Smith, Ina Garten, Spike Mendelsohn, Katie Chin, Anne Burrell, and the White House Chefs will prepare healthy eating demonstrations in the Play with your Food station.
In the Eggtivity Zone, Dr. Jayne Greenberg, Cornell McClellan, Donna Richardson Joyner, Curtis Pride and Shellie Pfohl will represent the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition as players and coaches from professional sports teams teach kids how to play sports and show kids easy, fun ways to stay active and fit.
Athletes participating in the Eggtivity Zone include:
Katrina Adams (US Tennis Association)
Lorenzo Alexander (Arizona Cardinals)
Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
Anquan Boldin (Baltimore Ravens)
Lauren Crandall (US Field Hockey)
Jill Craybas (US Tennis Association)
Victor Cruz (New York Giants)
Dwayne De Rosario (DC United)
Rachel Dawson (US Field Hockey)
Ajai Dhadwal (US Field Hockey)
Derrick Dockery (Dallas Cowboys)
Ray Gaddis (Philadelphia Union)
John Hackworth (Philadelphia Union)
Nene Hilario (Washington Wizards)
William Holt (US Field Hockey)
Liezel Huber (US Tennis Association)
Doc Jacobs (VETSports)
Denis Kudla (US Tennis Association)
Kari Miller (US Sitting Volleyball)
Brett Keisel (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Jennifer Kessy (US Volleyball)
Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx)
Lewis Neal (DC United)
Emeka Okafor (Washington Wizards)
John Orozco (US Gymnastics)
Danica Patrick (NASCAR)
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
Clark Rachfal (US Para Cycling)
Antwaan Randle-El (Pittsburgh Steelers)
April Ross (US Volleyball)
Marcelo Saragosa (DC United)
Etan Thomas (Atlanta Hawks)
Brian Vahaly (US Tennis Association)
Robert Vartughian (Philadelphia Union)
John Wall (Washington Wizards)
Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx)
Candice Wiggins (Minnesota Lynx)
Shaenon Williams (Philadelphia Union)
The Hop To It Stage offers a variety of interactive dance, sports, and other physical fun, including the Chicago Ultimate Tumblers, Alvin Ailey Dance Troop, KidTribe and The Ohmies.
The Ellipse will have an entertainment stage and guests can enjoy musical acts, activities, and a real NASCAR racecar as they prepare to enter the South Lawn. DJs WSC Zumba, Willy WOW! And LITTLE BEAT THE #1 CHINCHILLA, DJ Mel, and Tommy McFly will be on the Ellipse welcoming guests in, spinning music, and getting guests excited about the event.
Check out the events of the day that begin at 7:30 a.m. and stretch into the early evening hours of 6:45 p.m.:
With the “Be Healthy, Be Active, Be You!†theme, all of the activities on the South Lawn promote healthy and active living. The activities include obstacle courses, yoga, dancing, playing sports with professional athletes, and of course, the traditional egg roll. The full list of events is below:
An Egg Hunt & the traditional Egg Roll
Rock ‘n’ Egg Roll Stage
Live musical performances for all ages
Storytime Stage
Listen as celebrities bring books to life
Hop To It!
An instructional dance party on the South Lawn! Get up and go jump rope, hula hoop, dance and more
Eggtivity Zone Obstacle Course
A series of obstacles and drills, including soccer, football and baseball obstacle courses
Basketball and Tennis
Get hands-on training from basketball and tennis pros on the President’s court!
Yoga Garden
Come enjoy a session of yoga from professional instructors
Eggspress Yourself
An arts and crafts area with egg dying, egg decorating, exciting craft projects and more
Play with your Food
An entertaining activity center filled with opportunities to learn about healthy eating.
It seems hard to believe that we are greeting another White House Easter Egg Roll. Â All the fun and surprises for the imagination draws over 30,000 people from all the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Â I bet the Easter Bunny never thought it would become such a huge hopping event!
PHOTO CREDITS: Â Google Images and White House Website
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