The White House Easter Egg Roll Keeps on Rolling

The Marine Band will perform at 9 a.m., Monday, April 5 at the White House Easter Egg Roll. Tickets were distributed through an online lottery system, allowing guests from across the United States to participate in a tradition that dates back to 1878. In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison invited John Philip Sousa and the Marine Band to perform during the celebration. In 1928, Sousa wrote a special piece in honor of the annual occasion titled “Easter Monday on the White House Lawn.â€? “It’s a lot of fun seeing the schoolchildren enjoying the camaraderie and games as they experience the day in such a historic setting,â€? said clarinetist Master Gunnery Sergeant Charles Willett. “I always look forward to when we play Irving Berlin’s ‘Easter Parade,’ signaling the arrival of the President and First Lady. That’s a very exciting moment for all in attendance.â€? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia3oiHmhB8E