Clintons kick off 119th annual Easter egg event

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Despite wind, rain, and temperatures in the low 40s, crowds descended on the White House Monday to participate in the annual White House Easter Egg Hunt and Roll, now in its 119th year.

President Clinton officially kicked off the event a little before 11:30 a.m. with his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"We hope that despite the weather being just a little bit cool, that you feel as warm and excited as we do to have you back," the first lady told the crowds gathered in front of the White House.

Clinton explains the activities
(526K/27 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

The event is paid for by corporate sponsors and organized by volunteers. The president said more than 500 volunteers worked on preparations for this year's event, many of them working through the weekend to wrap up the details.

Eager parents and their bundled up children may not have been the best egg rollers, but their enthusiasm made the gathering worthwhile. Among this year's notable guests: actress Jane Seymour, star of TV's "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," and two of her four children.

Related story:

• Christians celebrate Easter worldwide - March 30, 1997

Related site:

• The 1997 White House Easter Egg Roll

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