Photo: Getty Images
Idina Menzel kicked off the event singing the national anthem alongside the Obamas and the Easter bunny (pictured)
'Today is bitter sweet for us because this is the last Obama administration Easter egg roll,' - Michelle Obama
Obama kicked off the Easter egg roll - a tradition dating back to 1878 when President Hayes was in office
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Photos after the cut ....
Photo: whitehouse.gov
'We've got a little whip, a little nae nae,' Michelle said, raising her hand to do the popular dance move. Barack followed suit, laughing
Thousands of children will descend upon the White House Monday for the annual Easter Egg Roll.
And if they have energy to spare after finding the wooden eggs, about 250 of them will join first lady Michelle Obama for a run.
The 'fun run' is the latest addition to an event that began in 1878 and now includes storytelling, musical performances and tips from professional athletes on how to play basketball, tennis and other sports.
Headline acts include Idina Menzel, who sang the national anthem.
Bear Grylls, the cast of Black-ish, Shaquille O'Neal and Shonda Rhimes will read stories in the story corner. Beyonce, Jay Z, their daughter Blue Ivy and their other relatives also attended the event.
Michelle Obama gave the opening speech, paying tribute to the 250,000 people that have visited the South Lawn during their seven-year administration.
She added: 'We've got dancing, we've got a little whip... a little nae nae,' raising her hand to do the popular dance move. Barack followed suit, laughing.
Photo: AP
Michelle Obama gave the opening speech, paying tribute to 250,000 people that have visited the lawn during their seven-year term
Photo: Reuters
Barack read the book he reads every year: Where The Wild Things Are, with some help from Michelle
Photo: AP
The president is seen growling as he encourages the kids to get involved in the story-telling
Obama lifts Stella Munoz into the air while greeting guests on the South Lawn
Photo: Getty Images
Obama lifts Stella Munoz into the air while greeting guests on the South Lawn
Photo: AFP/Getty Images
As Michelle waves to crowds, Barack steals a fist bump from one of the Stormtroopers stationed by the steps
'Today is bitter sweet for us because this is the last Obama administration Easter egg roll,' Michelle told the crowds.
Praising her husband, she told the crowd she was amazed by what their administration has accomplished in seven years, including 'opening up the White House to as many people as many backgrounds as possible' and 'exposing families to healthy living'.
She also gave a mention to the military families present at the event.
Later Barack read the book he reads every year: Where The Wild Things Are.
There will be a food station manned by celebrity chefs José Andrés, Spike Mendelsohn, Ted Allen and Kwame Onwuachi.
There are even yoga demonstrations and, of course, the traditional egg rolling.
More than 35,000 people received tickets that allow them to walk on the South Lawn of the White House, rain or shine.
The fun run is intended to highlight the first lady's 'Let's Move!' initiative, which focuses on reducing childhood obesity.
The 'roll' is a race, with children pushing an egg down a grass track using a long spoon.
It dates back to the 1870s when children would run up to the lawn with dyed hard-boiled eggs to roll them down the hill.
In 1976, lawmakers passed a bill banning the activity which had become increasingly popular.
However, two years later some children asked President Rutherford B. Hayes if he would let them roll their eggs. President Hayes not only let them in, he passed an executive order allowing children to do an Easter Egg Roll on the lawn every year.
Here they go! Obama blows the whistle for the Easter Egg roll as Bo and Sunny look on
Photo: AP
Actor Dule Hill, who was part of the cast of The West Wing, is seen on the South Lawn of the White House
Photo: AP
The 'roll' is a race, with children pushing an egg down a grass track using a spoon. Pictured: the track this year
Photo: EPA
Thousands of children have descended on the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll (pictured this year)
Photo: AP
There will be a food station manned by celebrity chefs José Andrés, Spike Mendelsohn, and Ted Allen
The colorful eggs sat in cartons before the race begins
From that moment on, it became a White House tradition. It has only ever been canceled in severe weather and wartime.
The Easter Bunny character became a permanent fixture after 1969, when a staff member of Pat Nixon's First Lady team put on the costume.
And in 1981, Ronald and Nancy Reagan brought in the tradition of 'souvenir eggs', a selection of painted wooden eggs - signed by the First Family - which are hidden among the grounds.
This year, the souvenir eggs were designed by graphic designer and blogger Joy Cho, who founded the LA-based firm Oh Joy.
Four of the five eggs are stamped with signatures of the President and First Lady on the back.
The remaining egg is gold, stamped with 'signatures' and 'paw prints' of First Dogs Bo and Sunny on the back.
Photo: whitehouse.gov
This year, the souvenir eggs were designed by graphic designer and blogger Joy Cho, who founded the LA-based firm Oh Joy. Four eggs are signed by the Obamas, and one is 'signed' by First Dogs Bo and Sunny
Credit: mail
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