Jim Roberts, owner of Southern Traditions Floral and Gifts, was recently given yet another remarkable opportunity at the White House. He was chosen from a large number of applicants to work the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, April 6. This experience is one of many he has taken part in at the White House, but his first time ever working at one of the Capitol’s longest-running traditions.
As in years past, the Easter Egg Roll lottery provided a process for the inclusion of guests from all 56 states and territories, with over 30,000 children in attendance this year, along with 30,000 eggs.
The White House Easter Egg Roll officially dates back to 1878 and the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, but first-hand accounts suggest that informal festivities began with egg-rolling parties under President Abraham Lincoln. Starting in the 1870s, Easter Monday celebrations on the U.S. Capitol’s west grounds grew so popular that President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill that banned the rolling of eggs on Capitol grounds, citing landscape concerns.
In 1878, a group of bold children walked up to the White House gate, hoping to be allowed to play egg-rolling games there. President Hayes told his guards to let the children enter, and soon Easter Monday on the White House grounds became an annual tradition. President Benjamin Harrison added music to the festivities in 1889 with the United States Marine Band.
Egg roll attendance grew so popular that the number of guests had to be limited, and in 1939, the Secret Service had to go so far as shutting down a “racket” of children trying to sneak adults into the event for a fee.
The planning of the egg roll traditionally falls on first ladies, each incorporating her own tastes and interests to the event. First Lady Lou Hoover had part of the South Lawn roped off for folk dancing. First Lady Pat Nixon introduced the traditional egg roll races.
Because of World War I and World War II, there were no egg rolls from 1917 to 1920 and from 1943 to 1945. Food conservation and then construction on the White House prevented any celebrations from 1946 to 1952, as well. Fortunately, President Dwight D. Eisenhower reinstated the tradition in 1953.
The custom to receive a wooden Easter egg when leaving the event began in 1981 — an idea instituted by First Lady Nancy Reagan — and became a keepsake cherished by guests that donned the signature of the President and First Lady.
Roberts arrived at the White House on Monday morning at 4 a.m. for the volunteer lineup and was astonished by the beautiful decorations surrounding him. The staple of the event: a special plaid containing America’s signature red, white, and blue to signify the upcoming 250th anniversary of our freedom.
After settling in, the first round of families began flooding in to enjoy the many activity booths sponsored by companies such as NASA, the Stock Exchange, Meta, Google, and many more. Roberts was selected to work in First Lady Melania Trump’s Be Best ring toss booth.
“It was amazing to watch the First Family interact with everyone. To watch them not just give a speech, but to sit down at the tables and color with the kids and actually interact with them,” stated Roberts.
Roberts was able to acquire the souvenir wooden Easter eggs in all the colors, and also spotted big names such as Kash Patel and the Trump Family. A very special part of this to him, though, was the reunion with those he has worked with in the past at the White House.
“It was fun being there because you start recognizing people you have volunteered with in the past,” stated Roberts. “It’s like a reunion; I even got to hang out with someone I worked with in 2020!”
All in all, the 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll was a success. Throughout the many events Jim Roberts has worked, and all the time, hard work, and determination, he has shown us the true definition of American Pride.
