The annual Easter Egg Roll was held on the South Lawn on Monday, April 7, 2015. The annual spring event is open to families across all 50 states and the District of Columbia through an online lottery, and this year a whopping 35,000 tickets were issued.
President Barack Obama greeted the crowd just shy of 11 a.m. saying, “We are so blessed to have this beautiful day and to have so many friends in our backyard! … This is a particularly special Easter Egg Roll because we’ve actually got a birthday to celebrate. It is the fifth anniversary of the first lady’s Let’s Move initiative.”
Following Fifth Harmony singing “Happy Birthday,” Michelle Obama greeted guests. “Welcome to the Easter Egg Roll. But as you’ve heard, this is the fifth anniversary of Let’s Move. And we’re celebrating by taking over the Easter Egg Roll with Gimme Five. And for those of you who don’t know about the Gimme Five challenge, that’s the fun, exciting way that we’re trying to get the whole country to celebrate the fifth birthday of Let’s Move. And we’re asking Americans of all ages to give me five ways they’re leading a healthier life – five jumping jacks, eating five new vegetables, maybe doing a Gimme Five dance. You name it. And go on and Instagram it, #GimmeFive, and then challenge somebody else.”
Malia and Sasha were unable to attend the event due to school commitments, however, the family dogs, Bo and Sunny, and the Easter Bunny were there to greet the thousands of families with morning appointments.
“We’ve had so much fun doing this challenge. Beyoncé has done it. Michael Strahan has done it. Everybody is doing it. Ryan Seacrest. So be a part of the movement. It’s fun. It’s a great way to get everybody moving,” the first lady said.
The 137th annual White House Easter Egg Roll was filled with a host of activities.
Event highlights:
The official emcee was Tommy McFly. The United States Marine Corps Band performed American classics. ID4GiRLS sang the ‘National Anthem.’
DJ Fussyman, Diggy Simmons, Fifth Harmony, MKTO, Newsies, Sesame Street, and “So You Think You Can Dance” All-Stars performed on the Rock ‘n’ Egg Roll Stage.
Bringing stories to life, readers at the Storytime Stage were Connie Britton, Misty Copeland, Genevieve Goings, Marsai Martin and Miles Brown, Omar Miller, and Sesame Street.
The Eggcited to Cook Stage features chefs Sunny Anderson, Chris Cosentino, Bobby Flay, Aarón Sánchez, Gail Simmons, and Michael Symon along with DJ Cavem and Alkemia Earth as they prepared delicious recipes showing easy ways to incorporate healthy eating into everyday meals.
In the Eggtivity Zone, Dr. Jayne Greenberg, Caitlin Cahow, Misty Copeland, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Hertling, Cornell McClellan, and Donna Richardson represented the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. Players and coaches from professional sports teams showed kids fun ways to stay active while at the President’s Court kids can get hands-on training from basketball and tennis pros.
The Yoga Garden explored the connection between movement, breath and mindfulness featuring longtime professional yoga instructor, Leah Cullis.
The Hop To It Stage offered a variety of interactive dance and other physical activities from Hip Hop Public Health, KidTribe, Robotic Dancing, Soul Cycle, Troops for Fitness, and The Happiness Club.
EGGSPRESS YOURSELF
Enjoy activities that hatch your inner artist with arts and crafts fun.
- Egg Dyeing. Transform a plain white egg into your very own multi-colored art creation.
- Blossom Books. Celebrate the coming of spring using the Japanese art technique of block printing.
- Eggbot on My Mind! Learn how breakthrough robot technology helps with today’s healthy living.
- Healthy Food on My Mind Chef Hats. Show all the healthy thoughts you’re thinking! Create and decorate chef hats with drawing of colorful fruits and vegetables that make up a healthy diet.
PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD
An entertaining activity center filled with opportunities to learn about healthy eating, including where eggs come from and how they get from the farm to your table.
- Family Farm Stand. Learn, play, and explore the benefits of produce and vegetables.
- Quick like a Bunny. Use the White House garden as inspiration while you make a garden cup necklace filled with seeds that grow quick like a bunny.
- Buzzing About Bees. Who knew the White House has an apiary? And just what is an apiary anyway? Learn that and many more fantastic bee facts.
- People’s Garden. Learn about the importance of pollinators and see honey, bees, and bats up close!
- #GimmeFive Ingredients! Learn about building a healthy plate with five ingredients.
EGGSPERIMENT ZONE
Interactive, educational activities designed to spark scientific curiosity and creativity.
- Sink or Float. Determine whether various objects sink or float in tubs of water.
- Paper Bag Kites. Learn how to make your own high-flying kites from a common paper bag.
- Sound Sandwiches. Listen and learn about science through innovation and invention.
Check out out the photo gallery.
(Photos by Mike James for Steed Media Service)
