Moppets Mob The White House Lawn

Thousands gather for a springtime ritual

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 13) -- Thousands of children descended on the White House's South Lawn Monday for the traditional Easter Egg roll, and a chance to appear in a live Web cast.

"This is the one thing every year I know no matter what else happens, I will do right," said President Bill Clinton, who kicked off the event. "Are you ready, kids? ... I'm going to count to three and blow the whistle."

When he did, the egg-rolling began, to music by the Marine band. The band played "The Easter Parade," instead of "Hail to the Chief," as the president entered.

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This year's festivities included giant costumed Easter eggs, each wearing a bright Easter bonnet, and Easter confections made by pastry chefs from around the country.

White House cooks worked over the weekend to boil and dye 7,200 eggs for the event, which dates back to 1879 and the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes.

Guests also went home with wooden souvenir eggs, bearing the silhouette of the White House and the engraved signatures of Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. No adults are allowed without a child in tow.

For the first time, children around the world had the chance to view the festivities, as well as Clinton's welcome, via a simultaneous cybercast on the Internet.

Monday April 13, 1998

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• Moppets Mob The White House Lawn