2010 Easter Egg Roll Dates Announced

While those of us in the DC area are still trying to figure out which Norse gods we've angered, and why they continue to assault us with wave after wave of snowstorms, it would be appropriate to take a look ahead at the upcoming spring.

Most immediate is the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. An Easter tradition since Dolly Madison's time, the Egg Roll was moved by to the White House Lawn by Lemonade Lucy Rutherford in 1878. A fun fact: Lucy Rutherford was such a strict temperance advocate that she refused to serve alcohol at White House functions. Well except for when the Russian Grand Duke came. Which is a bummer, because serving a Russian Grand Duke Lemonade could have been one of history's great clashes.

Anyway, back to the present day, the White House has announced that this year's event will be Monday, April 5th. In addition to the traditional egg roll and goofy costumes, events will be focused on Michelle Obama's initiative Let's Move, a program to fight child obesity. So don't plan on lots of chocolate and peeps being handed out.

Now, as we discussed last year, the Obama White House is trying something new with distribution of tickets. No longer will folks be waiting up all night in person trying to snag one of the first-come, first-served tickets. Last year, the White House moved to an online distribution scheme, which was not an unmitigated success. But, learning from their mistakes, this year tickets will be handed out slightly differently. Rather than create a massive on-line traffic jam, folks can register from Thursday, February 24th to Sunday, February 28th. No rush, just make sure you sign up at some point in that time frame at Recreation.gov. Then, on March 1st, a lottery will be held, with results being announced March 4th.

All very simple, and we're happy to see that the White House isn't afraid to ditch last years system for a better one. This new system looks to be fairer and less stressful all around.

Comments

[Lauren S. Kahn]

The problem with the lottery is that it encourages multiple entries--which is the only way to have a fighting chance to get tickets.

I entered the lottery to assist some Australians (We did do several entries). Of all the entries, I was the only one who got tickets and I will simply give them to the Australians. I "met" them online and they did book me for a tour on Easter Sunday so that is when I will deliver the tickets to them; we also sort of became friends through me helping them with their trip. Had someone else in the group gotten tickets, I would have given them to someone else. The tickets for April 5th were just made printable this evening. I do think they used this system to try and prevent illegal resales on ebay and the like. I regard that kind of activity as reprehensible morally in addition to against the statement you signed electronically when you entered the lottery. This event is free and for children and no one should be reselling tickets. Yuk!

For my Australian friends/tour clients this should make up for their futile attempt to see a shuttle launch. The time and date of the launch was moved ending that possibility. If they see the President, it will be something they will talk about for the rest of their lives.

The problem with not doing a lottery would mean we would be back to the same old huge line with whiny kids. There is no really good way that is fair to everyone.

I know no one else who won tickets in the lottery. I guess it was the luck of the Jewish that got me the tickets because I never win anything.

One thing is certain: I will not be going to the egg roll.