On Monday, March 31, the traditional Easter Egg Roll takes place on the White House South Lawn from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Egg Roll and Egg Hunt are for children between the ages of three and six, accompanied by at least one adult. Other family members are permitted, as long as one person is age three to six. This is a public event, and no invitations are issued.

Tickets
Free, timed tickets are distributed by the National Park Service on a first-come, first-served basis. Each person, even the smallest child, requires a ticket to enter the South Lawn. Ticket distribution begins about 7 a.m. at the Visitor Pavilion on the Ellipse (the park area south of the White House), and continues until all tickets are gone. One person can request up to four tickets (new this year). No advance tickets are available. It should not be necessary to spend much time in line and it is not necessary to line up before 7 a.m. Food, chewing gum, coolers, or lawn chairs are not permitted on the South Lawn.

Theme and Activities
The 1997 theme of the event is Learning is Delightful & Delicious (L.I.D.D.). Each stage is designed to convey these ideas. The Off to a Good Start area on the Ellipse provides ticket holders with a free, nutritional breakfast. Stage performers and roving characters will entertain. Areas designed to offer interactive arts and crafts offer additional fun. This is also a great opportunity to have photos with some of the many costumed characters.

The Learning Means the World to Me stage offers a series of interactive programs for young children. Puzzle Place, Bananas In Pajamas, and Cathy & Marcy are a few of the featured acts. The Smart Kids on a Roll stage features the Broadway Kids (kids who have performed on Broadway), Trout Fishing in America, and Parachute Express. Learning Adventures CD-ROM Theater features Barney Broccoli and Bobby Banana who, with the help of computer technology, present a show based on the importance of "5 A Day" nutrition. The Spring into Learning stage offers high-energy fashion shows, the Paper Moon kids from the national company of Paper Moon, and the Story Time TV characters. The Imagine the Possibilities story-telling stage is hosted by Mr. Hatbox, Elizabeth Belle MacDonald, and a troupe of actors and performers.

Always popular egg dying and decorating are available again. The Great Train Store creates a fantasy Easter village and K'Nex Toys displays giant models of historic U.S. monuments. The Giant Nest, for kids to climb into, is built on the lawn.

Directions
To accommodate the festivities on Easter Monday, E Street is closed between 15th and 17th Streets. On-street parking is not available near the White House and use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. The recommended Metrorail stations are Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines), and Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines).

In case of inclement weather, all events are canceled and not rescheduled.

The Annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House is a wonderful tradition which The President and Mrs. Clinton hope all families will enjoy. For the most up-to-date information on this, or other public events at the White House, please call the Visitors Office 24-hour info line at 202-456-7041.