First lady Michelle Obama hugs a child as others wait in line for a hug after she read a children’s book during the White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2014 in Washington, D.C. (Matt McClain/ The Washington Post)
No longer is a kids’ Easter party about a bunch of children jacked up on chocolate bunnies and Peeps — at least not the most famous egg roll of them all, the annual White House extravaganza, which is being transformed from an excuse to inhale pastel-colored sugar while posing with a terrifying rabbit into a celebration of healthy living.
The White House announced that the theme of this, the 137th roll, slated for April 6, would be #GimmeFive, the challenge that first lady Michelle Obama has been issuing as part of the five-year anniversary of her “Let’s Move!” initiative. (Because nothing says fun like being ordered to do five push-ups before you get to sink your teeth into that first Cadbury.)
In addition to a yoga garden and healthy-cooking demonstrations, the annual gathering will feature a musical lineup that, as usual, skews to a younger demographic. The 10-year-old mix-master known as DJ Fussyman will entertain, as will Diggy Simmons (the 20-year-old son of “Rev. Run” Simmons of Run DMC). Others taking the “Rock ‘n’ Egg Roll Stage” include huge-with-the-tweeners acts Fifth Harmony, MKTO, along with the casts of the musical “Newsies,” the TV show “Sesame Street,” and the “So You Think You Can Dance All-Stars.”
A slate of pro athletes, including Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, will be on hand, and per usual, local radio personality Tommy McFly will emcee.
See the full lineup here.
