On Saturday, October 29, President and Mrs. Obama welcomed local children to trick-or-treat at the North Portico of the White House, which was lit orange for the occasion.
The trick-or-treaters were elementary students from local schools in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas as well as children from the Boys and Girls Club of America and children from military families.
In addition, children from military families were invited to attend a special Halloween party inside the People’s House.
Those schools amongst attendance were children from DC Public Schools,Virginia Public Schools, Arlington Science Focus Elementary, and Maryland Public Schools.
TRICKS
The White House and the surrounding grounds were decorated in celebration of Halloween. As the trick-or-treaters made their way across the North Lawn to the North Portico they were entertained by the Marine Band playing Halloween music and spooked by in-costume actors from Washington-area theatres, brought together by theatreWashington.
Veggy Art, a small-business owned by Chef James Parker and based in Chantilly, Va., provided decorative pumpkins and on-site carving demonstrations for the event. The North Lawn was decorated with ravens, cobwebs, pumpkin urns and branches.
TREATS
Earlier this week, in an appearance on the “Tonight Show,” Obama joked to host Jay Leno that he had warned his wife that if she wanted to avoid Halloween mischief she might want to dole out more than just fruit and raisins.
“I told her the White House is going to get egged if this keeps up,” he said, suggesting that she might want to add “a couple of Reese’s Pieces or something.”
The following treats were provided, which the Obamas had given to White House trick-or-treaters since 2009:
- A Signature Box of White House M & Ms
- A White House Sweet Dough Butter Cookie Made by White House Pastry Chef Bill Yosses, and
- A Serving of Dried Fruit
For a video on Halloween preparations at the White House, click here.