White House resumes Easter Egg Roll tradition

'Tonight Show' host Jimmy Fallon, singer Ciara, and actress Kristin Chenoweth added a dash of star power to the event that dates back to 1878

Television host Jimmy Fallon reads to children with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden during the annual Easter Egg Roll in Washington. AFP

Brandon Graham, a footballer with the Philadelphia Eagles, attends the annual event, held on the South Lawn of the White House. AFP

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends the event with his daughter. AFP

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were also at the White House. AP

Families travel from across the US to attend the Easter extravaganza. Reuters

U. S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden react as television host Jimmy Fallon waves during a reading of books session at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U. S. , April 18, 2022. REUTERS / Evelyn Hockstein

Trays of brightly dyed eggs are displayed, ready for the children’s use. Reuters

President Biden shares a book with the children. EPA

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden stand before the crowds with a special guest. AFP

Families stream into the event. AFP

‘Tonight Show’ host Jimmy Fallon reads his book ‘Nana’ to children with the help of Joe and Jill Biden. EPA

The Easter Bunny and President Joe Biden. AFP

The US President and his wife watch as children compete in the Easter Egg Roll. AFP

First Lady Jill Biden reads to youngsters with her husband’s help. EPA

The Easter Bunny makes another appearance. EPA

Jimmy Fallon takes his turn to read a story. AP

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff chat to a child. AP

Hunter Biden, whose father is the US President, holds his son, Beau Biden Jnr, as he waves to spectators. AP

US President Joe Biden with First Lady Jill Biden. EPA

Despite rain clouds and drizzle, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted the first White House Easter Egg Roll since before the coronavirus pandemic on Monday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his daughter were among the 30,000 children and adults to join the traditional event.

Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, singer Ciara and actress-singer Kristin Chenoweth added a dash of star power to the event that dates to 1878.

“My job is to keep it from raining for another two minutes,” Fallon said in opening remarks on the South Lawn.

The theme for the day was “egg-ucation.” The first lady, a community college professor, turned the South Lawn into a school community with a variety of educational stations.

“The determined spirit of education is what we wanted to honour in this Easter Egg Roll,” Mrs Biden said.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the White House to cancel the Easter Egg Roll in 2020 and 2021. But the event is back as the number of coronavirus cases, hospital emergencies and deaths has eased.

“This year we’re finally getting together again, and it’s so special,” Mr Biden said.

More than two dozen costumed characters were on hand, including Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, the Racing Presidents mascots for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball, Rosita and Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, and Snoopy and Charlie Brown, among others.

The Associated Press contributed to this report