White House Easter Egg Roll Photos Show Why It's The Best Presidential Tradition

138 years of White House fun.
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Thousands of people crowded the White House lawn Monday for the 138th Easter Egg Roll, a yearly tradition where children race along the grass while pushing an egg with a long-handled spoon.

Barack and Michelle Obama greeted visitors on the South Lawn of the White House, posing for pictures with children before officiating the annual egg roll.

In short remarks from the Truman Balcony, the first lady called it a "bittersweet" moment: "This is the Obama administration's last Easter egg roll," she said.

The Obamas, with dogs Bo and Sunny and the Easter Bunny in tow, then high-fived children who came across the finish line.

"Who's the winner?" Obama asked, before picking up a baby. The president and first lady also read "Where the Wild Things Are" out loud to the children, an annual tradition.

President Barack Obama lifts a young girl in the air during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday.
President Barack Obama lifts a young girl in the air during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday.
Al Drago via Getty Images

"Do your moms and dads ever say, 'You guys are making mischief' like Max"? Obama asked children assembled before him, a reference to one of the characters in the book.

The Obamas later joined former NBA basketball star Shaquille O'Neal on the White House basketball court to play with a group of young people in the Jr. NBA program.

The first easter egg roll was held in the 1870s on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, until Congress made it illegal to hold the event there in 1876. The tradition then moved to the White House lawn in 1878, with President Rutherford B. Hayes hosting.

Check out the photos from this year's event below:

Young children roll Easter eggs on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll March 28, 2016, in Washington, D.C.
Young children roll Easter eggs on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll March 28, 2016, in Washington, D.C.
Win McNamee via Getty Images
President Barack Obama shakes hands with an attendee during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with an attendee during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
Two people wearing large bunny ears wait for President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and the Easter Bunny on the South Lawn.
Two people wearing large bunny ears wait for President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and the Easter Bunny on the South Lawn.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
U.S. President Barack Obama greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House.
U.S. President Barack Obama greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House.
Win McNamee via Getty Images

Rain or shine we roll! 138th annual Easter Egg Roll 🐰#favoriteday

A photo posted by ea_ns (@ea_ns) on

The Obamas wave from the Truman Balcony of the White House.
The Obamas wave from the Truman Balcony of the White House.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Families wait for the president's arrival.
Families wait for the president's arrival.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kids just love our pandas! High fives all around! #WHEER #EasterEggRoll #LetsMove

A photo posted by Citi Open (@citiopen) on

Barack and Michelle Obama read "Where the Wild Things Are."
Barack and Michelle Obama read "Where the Wild Things Are."
SAUL LOEB via Getty Images
Attendees at the annual egg roll.
Attendees at the annual egg roll.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

#StellaRaeMurd #StellaAtTheWhiteHouse #EasterEggRoll #FuturePresident 🇺🇸❤️👍🏽

A photo posted by Jenna Murdock (@jennaraemurd) on

Before You Go

White House Easter Egg Roll Through The Years

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