The White House returned to its springtime ritual on Monday as the 148th Easter Egg Roll played out on the South Lawn, with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump presiding over an event that blended century‑old tradition with a novelty this year: 150 live chicks.
The April 6 gathering revived the long-running White House celebration that dates to 1878. Families from across the country — chosen through an online lottery — crowded the South Lawn to roll eggs, compete in races and take part in activities staged for children. Organizers provided 30,000 real eggs for the occasion, delivered by Braswell Family Farms of North Carolina, and volunteers in bunny ears helped shepherd the day’s festivities.
A new Hen‑to‑Home exhibition, organized by the American Egg Board, introduced roughly 150 live chicks to the programming, an addition intended to give attendees a hands‑on view of where eggs come from. Photographs from the event show crates of dyed eggs and children gathered around displays of the chicks, alongside the familiar pageantry of the Easter Egg Roll: children rolling eggs down the lawn, volunteers and staff guiding lines, and a prominently displayed golden egg among the colorful containers.
President Trump and the first lady took an active role in the program, blowing whistles to start a children’s race and with Melania Trump pausing to read a book to gathered youngsters. The president was also photographed speaking with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during the event, which blended family entertainment with the presence of senior administration officials and staffers.
The Easter Egg Roll remains one of the White House’s most enduring public traditions. This year’s iteration emphasized its agricultural partners and educational elements, from the Braswell‑supplied eggs to the American Egg Board’s exhibition. Photo coverage published alongside the event captured candid moments — from contestants lining up, to volunteers assisting guests, to the Trumps standing with family members as children took part.
While the basic format of rolling eggs across the South Lawn has changed little over the decades, the addition of live animals and branded suppliers this year underscored how modern iterations can highlight industry partners and interactive exhibits for families. The event’s imagery and details were circulated in national outlets following Monday’s celebration.