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Skriven 2005-03-28 23:36:20 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (050328) for Mon, 2005 Mar 28
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2005 White House Easter Egg Roll Frequently Asked Questions
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For Immediate Release
OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
March 28, 2005

2005 White House Easter Egg Roll Frequently Asked Questions




Q. How long has this event been a White House tradition?
A. President Rutherford B. Hayes officially opened the White House grounds
to local children for egg rolling on Easter Monday in 1878. Successive
Presidents have continued the tradition of inviting children to the South
Lawn for egg rolling and other activities and entertainment. On occasion,
the Easter Egg Roll has been cancelled, either due to inclement weather or
in times of war (World War I and World War II).

Q. Is this event open to the public?
A. Yes. Tickets to this year's White House Easter Egg Roll were distributed
to the public on Saturday, March 26th. Remaining tickets were made
available to the public on the morning of the event, Monday, March 28th.

Q. Were any special groups invited to participate?
A. Yes. Mrs. Bush has extended a special invitation through USA Freedom
Corps to organizations promoting youth mentoring programs.

Q. How many people will attend the event?
A. 16,000 tickets were distributed for this event.

Q. Who is hosting the 2005 Easter Egg Roll?
A. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Secretary of Health and
Human Services Michael O. Leavitt will be co-hosting this year's event.

Q. What kinds of activities will guests participate in?
A. Easter Egg Roll activities begin on the Ellipse with food and
entertainment. On the White House South Lawn, children ages 7 or younger
can take part in the egg roll. Children of all ages can enjoy the reading
corners, egg coloring, art activities, face painting, music, magicians and
other activities. Strolling characters will interact with the children as
they roam the South Lawn. At the reading corners, visitors will be treated
to storytelling by authors of popular children's books, Cabinet members and
senior administration officials.

Q. Who dyes the eggs? How many are dyed?
A. The American Egg Board provided approximately 7,200 real eggs for the
annual Egg Roll activity. Another 4,000 dyed eggs were provided for the Egg
Hunt, and an additional 4,000 were boiled and will be provided for children
to dye at an activity area on-site.

Q. Who designed the art for the commemorative egg?
A. Jennifer Carrasco, from Seattle, Washington, designed this year's
commemorative wooden egg and the commemorative poster. Jennifer has taught
art in the United States, Japan and Korea, in addition to spending 13 years
teaching with the Department of Defense Schools in the Philippines and
Taiwan. Q. What will Children receive upon departure from the Easter Egg
Roll?
A.
  þ A commemorative White House wooden Easter egg
  þ An activity coloring book
  þ A USA Freedom Corps bookmark
  þ A children's book
  þ Easter Egg Roll commemorative poster
  þ Easter candy
Q. Who are the guest readers?
A.
  þ Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
  þ Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael O. Leavitt
  þ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson
  þ Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta
  þ Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
  þ Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez
  þ Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
  þ Acting Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Steve
    Johnson
  þ White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card
  þ Director of the Office of Management and Budget Josh Bolten
  þ Chief of Staff to Mrs. Bush Anita McBride
Q. Which children's book authors are reading on the South Lawn?
A.
  þ Susan Stevens Crummel; Jackalope
  þ Doreen Cronin; Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type
  þ Sonia Manzano; No Dogs Allowed!
  þ Shutta Crum; Bravest of the Brave
  þ Mo Willems; Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
  þ Doreen Rappaport; Martin's Big Words
  þ Pam Munoz Ryan; Mice and Beans
  þ Michael Stadther; A Treasure's Trove
  þ Shandi Finnessey - Miss USA 2004; The Furrtails
Q. Who are the entertainers?
A.
All for KIDZ
Arne Dixon and his team of world-class yoyo professionals, perform an
interactive show featuring more than thirty outstanding yoyo tricks. The
NED Show, teaches three essential characteristics for becoming a champion
in school and in life: Never Give Up, Encourage Others and Do Your Best.

Barbara Bailey Hutchison
This Grammy Award winner for "Best Musical Recording For Children" is high
energy, FUN with every song inviting willing participation. Barbara
captivates all ages with her powerful voice, skillful guitar work, and
animated stage presence. She was voted "Best Acoustic Act" and "Best Music
Act" by colleges nationwide and recently returned from performing in
Thailand. She's educational, fun, funny, and highly entertaining.

Bitty Bear's Matinee:
The Family Tree(tm) is a new audience participation family theater
production for children ages 3 and up. Performed at American Girl Place in
Chicago and New York, Bitty Bear's Matinee celebrates the virtues of family
and friendship while teaching age-appropriate skills such as sharing and
working together. Based on the Bitty Bear books in American Girl's popular
Bitty Baby(r) doll line, the live musical performance is done in
story-theater style, featuring three of the lovable Bitty Bunch
characters-Bitty Bear, Bitty Puppy, and Bitty Kitty.

Disney's Bear in the Big Blue House
Bear is the seven-foot lovable host of the Emmy Award-winning children's
television series. He always exudes warmth, comfort and understanding to
everyone around him. He scratches and sniffs, often putting his nose right
up to the camera lens. Bear is curious about everything around him, and has
never lost his natural sense of wonderment. His intimate manner engages
young children as he speaks directly to them, while his inquisitive style
encourages them to join in, play along, verbally interact and use their
imaginations. Filled with civility and concern, Bear also loves to help his
friends, constantly displaying infinite patience and interest in their
activities.

Buck Howdy
The king of kids' cowboy music with rootin' tootin' tunes for children of
all ages. He also hosts his own nationally syndicated radio show, Cow Pie
Radio, and stars in a new kids' tv series, the Buck Howdy Show, from Sony
Pictures Television.

Ernie _
Aiming to inspire creativity, provoke imaginative thought, and introduce
children - musically - to cultural diversity, Ernie _

Flumpa(r) and Friends LIVE!
Science rocks with Flumpa(r) the tree frog and Wendy Whitten - 'The Singing
Scientist.' Charged with energy and fun, this fast-paced interactive
musical science show will blast off at the speed of sound delivering a
unique blend of music with a twist of science for a captivating exploration
of our world. This universally engaging group has performed at over 3,000
events and schools nationwide to over 2,000,000 people since 1995 and has
won 17 national awards including several Dr. Toy and iParenting awards.

Animal Planet Presents Animal Encounters
Stop by the Animal Planet stage to get up close and personal with live
animals, including a real bunny rabbit. Jim Boller from the hit Animal
Planet show, ANIMAL COPS: HOUSTON, will be signing autographs, answering
questions and offering pet advice throughout the day.

Houston SPCA Director of Field Services Jim Boller leads the team of
investigators who are featured on ANIMAL COPS: HOUSTON. His team covers
2,600 square miles and processes more than 9,000 cruelty cases a year,
including many exotic animals such as lions, snakes, ostriches and spiders.
Boller has 29 years of animal-related experience and is recognized around
the world for his knowledge and expertise in the field of animal welfare.

Animal Planet is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the
connection between humans and animals. The network's original programming
brings together people of all ages by tapping into a fundamental
fascination with animals and providing an entertaining mix of programming,
including original movies, adventure series, sports, drama and sitcoms.

Jim Cosgrove _
As a two-time Parents' Choice Award Winner, Jim Cosgrove has been described
as "The most intriguing kids entertainer out there right now." With his
soothing voice, an acoustic guitar, and a box full of instruments, he has
entertained tens of thousands of kids throughout the United States and
Europe. The high-energy performances are interactive with an opportunity
for kids to play along in an impromptu "jam" session.

Laughing Pizza
A family trio made up of Billy Schlosser, his wife Lisa Michaelis and their
ten-year-old daughter Emily, Laughing Pizza makes music for families to
share. Billy and Lisa have been writing songs for more than 15 years. Their
experience in writing for the children's music market includes songs for
Mary Kate and Ashley Olson, the Cartoon Network TV show "Big Bag", and an
entire CD of 19 shape and counting songs called "Make it Count", which has
become part of the curriculum in public schools in several states. Laughing
Pizza has released four Parents Choice Award winning music and video
products.

PBS Children's Programs
Barney, the popular fun-loving purple dinosaur, is the best friend a child
could ever have. He happens to be a 6-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex. And, speed
along and zoon into action as Mr. McFeely the Speedy Delivery Man meets the
cast of ZOOM.

RAGGS Kids Club Band
RAGGS and his four colorful canine friends is a costumed character band
that mixes original award-winning music with popular favorites in a
high-energy interactive show for children. They perform throughout the US
with recent performances at the Heart of Texas Fair, the Alabama National
Fair, the New York State Fair, and California Kids Fest. Their 2 DVDs and 4
CDs have received the Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center,
iParenting Award, the Creative Child Award and were nominated for two Emmy
Awards.

Cast members of the 134th Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum _(r) Circus:
This quintessential American family entertainment tradition has delighted
audiences across the country for nearly 135 years. These performers and
clowns, as part of The Greatest Show On Earth, have brought wide smiles,
laughter and joy to millions, and join us today to meet Children of All
Ages. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos, Songstress Jennifer Fuentes-an "American
Idol" top-30 finalist, Christine Winn and our world famous Ringling Bros.
clowns bring the magic of their latest production to the White House lawn.

Silly Socks Puppet Theatre
Delivering humor, suspense, good messages and lots of silliness through the
use of expressive, custom made puppets, The Silly Socks Puppet Theater has
appeared across America and nearby at the National Theater and Wolftrap
Center. Brian Foster, the lead puppeteer for Silly Socks, has been writing
and performing original puppet theater for over a decade.

MAGICIANS
Chadakazzam: Chad Juros started his magic career in 1991 at the age of
three when he was diagnosed with leukemia. While receiving chemotherapy and
radiation treatments, his father taught him magic to help deal with the
discomfort. Chad's magical career includes performances around the world
for corporate events pediatric cancer hospitals, hospices and foundations
and career highlights include his role as the young David Copperfield for a
primetime TV show, as well as Volvo for Life Award finalist.

Eldon D. Wigton "Dr. Eldoonie" - For more than twenty years, Dr. Eldoonie
has performed his magic for national and international audiences. He has
appeared in several television productions throughout his career and is
listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Fastest
Magician.

Magic Stage will feature some of the best kid's magicians from around the
country. The DC area's own Ralph the Great was voted "Best" a record nine
times and makes his 6th appearance at the Easter Egg Roll! Ken Scott is
Atlanta's best kid show magician who turns a child into a magician at every
show! New York City is the home of Silly Billy, their most famous
children's performer. Mark Daniel, the Magical Storyteller, comes from
North Carolina and is the host of the best Kid Show conference in the
world. From Philadelphia, John Cassidy holds the Guinness World Record for
most balloon sculptures in one hour! Bruce Bray is New Jersey's busiest
professional children's magician. Stretch the Silly Man is New Jersey's
funniest kid's comedian. Trixie Bond visits us from Houston and is the
nation's best-known female children's magician. From Boston, Mike Bent is
one of the most creative and imaginative people in magic.

STROLLING CHARACTERS

Charlie Brown
Snoopy
Raggedy Ann
Raggedy Andy
Peter Cottontail
Babar
B.B. Rabbit
Arthur
The Berenstain Bears
Caillou
Cassie from DRAGON TALES
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Digit and Harry from CYBERCHASE
Grover SESAME STREET
Jay Jay the Jet Plane
Leona from BETWEEN THE LIONS
Maya _
Mechanical Noo-noo from TELETUBBIES
Piggley Winks from JAKERS! THE ADVENTURES OF PIGGLEY WINKS
Mr. McFeely, the Speedy Delivery Man, from MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD
Patchy Panda
Larry _
JoJo _
Peter Rabbit
Winnie the Pooh
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Louie the Baysox Mascot
The Official White House Bunnies
Woodrow the White House Mouse

For more information, please visit the White House Web Site at
WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV.
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