In February, the President Trump has received a warning about an important date that he was about to miss. The Twitter post was directed to the President, the first lady, and the president’s daughter. It reminded them that they should reach the FYI manufacturing deadlines for eggs for the Easter Egg Roll event.
In fact, this message was sent by the Wells Wood Turning & Finishing, a company that supplies the wooden eggs for the White House Easter Egg Roll. This traditional celebration is 138 years old, and every year it draws over 35,000 people to the South Lawn.
The staff of this company was interested whether the President was planning to continue with this tradition. They also wondered if they will have a celebration at all.
The Rush For The Easter Egg Roll
At the beginning of March, there was an answer. The White House announced that the roll is going to take place and soon the rush order for the wooden eggs has started.
This ovoid uncertainty has posed a question maybe not that important as some other shocking world events. However, it exposed the inner workings of the President’s administration, and whether the first lady could manage to pull off the most important public event.
According to Melinda Bates, the ex-director of the White House Visitors Office under the President Bill Clinton and the organizer of eight Easter Egg Roll, this is the most important event that takes place each year.
For this reason, both the first lady and the White House are judged on how well they have organized it.
Also, she expressed her worry about the Trump people because they have failed to complete some highly important posts.
Some White House party debacles were presidential nightmares in the past. For instance, the President Barack Obama, in the very first year in his office has harshly criticized the lax security procedures.
This has happened after some reality-show celebrities have crashed a state dinner and honored the Indian prime minister. One of them even managed to buttonhole the President for a handshake.
Is a Successful Event on the Horizon?
The latest plans by the Trump White House indicate a small and less energetic Egg Roll celebration. It is assumed that there would be fewer guests than before, a fraction of volunteers that will manage the great number of people in the South Lawn. Also, instead of popular entertainers, there would be military bands.
The White House officials did not reveal the number of people expected to attend this event. It is also not clear whether Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary will once again appear in a bunny suit.
He did this 10 years ago when he was an aide in the Office of the United States Trade Representative during George W. Bush was president.
Stephanie Grisham, the communications director, had denied that there is a significant reduction in the event from the past years. However, on Tuesday, she reported that the attendance would be cut down because it used to be so large. The children even were not able to enjoy as they should.
She also pointed out that this year’s event will be definitely a success. It is because their team is working very hard and the celebration will speak for itself.
About the Event…
According to some evidence, there would be about 20,000 people. This is rather a small number than the last year’s celebration which drew about 37,000 people. About 500 volunteers will participate which is half the usual.
Lara Kline, the official retailer and the vice president for marketing and communication stated that there was an order of 40,000 wooden eggs. This was a significant reduction to the 85,000 eggs in 2016. Around 18,000 will be given away right at the Easter Egg Roll while the rest will be available for sale.
She also pointed out that this small number is because of the limited manufacturing window for this year celebration.
The public schools in the Washington area usually received 4,000 tickets and now have yet to hear from the White House. Also, around 3,000 people from military families have yet to be contacted.
Is Everyone Going To Attend?
There are a few families across the country who wonder whether they will get tickets. One such person is the president of the American Military Partner Association, who represents the families of lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual service, Ashley Broadway-Mack.
He had received tickets for 5-10 of them for the last several years. This year, the President’s administration did not even involve them in the celebration.
However, on Tuesday Ms. Grisham announced that there were tickets for children’s hospitals, schools, and military families, but she did not reveal their number.
The Elmo and Curious George were not sure whether the Easter Egg Roll was about to happen. Finally, the White House first asked the PBS Kids whether they can provide costumed characters.
Another characteristic of The Easter Egg Roll is the participation of the “Sesame Street” cast members. However, this year this was not the case.
The Sesame Workshop vice president for strategic communications, Elizabeth Weinreb Fishman, said that the PBS had asked them to participate. They are going to a provide a Sesame Street character, but she did not reveal the character.
Also, the Members of Congress did not receive word from the White House. They wondered if they will get tickets for their constituents and they seem to be behind schedule.
The organizers of the Yoga Garden who usually participated in the Obama’s Easter Egg Rolls, this year won’t share their asanas with the guests. Leah Cullis, the coordinator of the Yoga Center who took part in the eight Obamas’ Easter Egg Rolls, did not receive ticket for this 2017 event.
A Real Challenge for the White House
The first lady, who has a limited presence in Washington, was really slow in hiring the staff for the East Wing. This is a very important point because it takes the lead on the event.
In February, she just named a social secretary and a chief of staff. However, she has to name a director for the Visitors Office, the most important player for the execution of the event.
Ellie Schafer, the director of the White House Visitors Office and the organizer of the Obamas’ Easter Egg Rolls points out how difficult is to organize such an event.
Ms. Bates who has documented the challenges of the Clinton-era Easter Egg Rolls in a memoir “White House Story” said that an organization of such an event is a window of competence of an administration.
She also points out that if you can manage to pull off this event, you can practically do anything.
Source CNN | NY Daily NewsCNNImage Source NY Daily News