I was able to get tickets to take my daughter to the White House Easter Egg Roll.  The Roll is a Washington, DC tradition.  It is one of only three times per year where visitors can walk the grounds of the White House (the other two are for the spring and fall garden tours) and the only one where you can actually walk across the well-manicured South Lawn.  The tradition started in 1878.  If you would like a more complete history, here is a news article .

As in prior years, the event was star studded and fun.  The President joined us on the lawn and the performance by the cast of Glee was fantastic.

More details, video and pictures after the jump.

This is my third time at a White House Easter Egg Roll.  According to the White House's Press Release.  This year’s festivities included the following guests:

· Sara Bareilles, Justin Bieber, the cast of the television show Glee, Yo Gabba Gabba, Sesame Street, and Little Beat, The #1 Chinchilla and DJ Willy Wow! will perform on the Rock 'n' Egg Roll Stage

· J.K. Rowling, Reese Witherspoon, Apolo Ohno, Mariska Hargitay, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Elmo and Maria of Sesame Street and Betty DeGeneres will read on the Storytime Stage

· Billy Jonas and Miss Amy will perform on the Ellipse

· Chef Art Smith, Chef José Andrés, Chef Cliff Wharton, Chef Nora Poullion, Chef Robert Wiedmaier, Chef Susan Limb, Chef Victor Albisu, and the White House Chefs will prepare healthy eating demonstrations in the Play with your Food station.

· Billie Jean King, Gigi Fernandez, Ilana Kloss, Delaney Rudd, Liezel Huber, Katrina Adams, Anna Rawson, Jane Geddes, Kris Tschetter, Martin Gramatica, Michele Smith, Al Bumbry and Earl Boykins will help organize games in the Sports Zones

· NFL players will lead children in healthy activities as a part of the NFL Play 60 Movement. Those participating include Washington Redskins players Kevin Barnes, Alvin Bowen, Derrick Dockery, Reed Doughty, Chris Horton, Marko Mitchell, Will Robinson, Casey Rabach, Justin Tryon, Edwin Williams, Anthony Montgomery, Lorenzo Alexander, H.B. (Horatio Benedict) Blades, Doug Dutch as well as, Baltimore Ravens players Matt Lawrence and Sam Koch

We had the lucky timeslot (9:45 to 11:45), which featured the welcome address by President Obama and the First Family.  Amber Riley from Glee sang the National Anthem. The President then joined us for some games.  Here are some photos we took and the official White House Video.  (Yo Gabba Gabba was there too)

JK Rowling was also there to read from Harry Potter and apparently announced that there will more Harry Potter stories in the future.  I didn’t see it  (she read in a later slot), but here is the video.  She will be getting a copy of Sky Girl. Here is the video:

My friend Betty was also lucky enough to be in line with Reese Witherspoon and the First Family.

But, without a doubt, the highlight of the Roll (for both me and my daughter) was the performance by the cast of Glee.  They opened the set with Somebody to Love, and then continued with Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Sweet Caroline, True Colors, Home, and, of course, ended with Don't Stop Believing. Here are some pictures of the performance as well as some video:

I will say that it sounded like Lea Michele had a cold and was straining to sing.  but, it was still great to see.

And if you are wondering whether the Glee kids had a good time being there.  Here are the tweets from the event

DijonTalton
Oprah/Chicago… Zown!! Now in DC… I'm hoping we get a tour of the White House, maybe Malia and Sasha can hook it up! lol hahaha

msleamichele
Here we are in DC at the White House! http://yfrog.com/6fez9j

Mark_Salling
Just kickin it with my boy Elmo on the south lawn http://yfrog.com/493otj

msleamichele
The cast on the White House lawn! http://yfrog.com/eadttj

chriscolfer
At the White House!!! http://tweetphoto.com/17176837

IJennaUsh
Just sittin on the white house lawn, chillen. No big. ;) http://yfrog.com/b927qtj

DijonTalton
The cast on the White House lawn! http://yfrog.com/eadttj

frankenteen
at the white house! http://twitpic.com/1d9aw1

iharryshum
What's that in the background? http://twitpic.com/1da987

druidDUDE
at the white house today. verdict: moving in on tuesday.

IJennaUsh
Morning, DC ! Time to meet the President and First Lady!!!

druidDUDE
Starting the day off right http://yfrog.com/7dy57j

iharryshum
Streaming LIVE from my mobile phone with #qik http://qik.ly/BGdpy

druidDUDE
Met the prez & fam, jk Rowling, then @msamberpriley did the most amazing national anthem w/ the obamas next 2 her: life complete.

frankenteen
inside the white house. no big deal. this was after we met the president. also, no big deal. http://twitpic.com/1dfgq2

IJennaUsh
Sang at the White house, watched @msamberriley kill the national anthem on the WH balcony and met the OBAMAs!!!! What?!?!?! Best Day Ever

chriscolfer
I feel like today was a dream! I met the President of the United States, JK Rowling, and Ellen's Mom Betty DeGeneres! so surreal!

alittlelamb
Just when things couldn't get crazier…we met Obama & family, including Beau. They couldn't have been more charming or kind. Surreal.

alittlelamb
Ok maybe it's Bo. Not sure, but that dog is cute.

frankenteen
@chriscolfer as amadeus. http://twitpic.com/1dgj98

Mark_Salling
did today really happen?talked bball with obama, played 2 sets, 1st was rocky, live is always unpredictable, @MsAmberPRiley killed it tho

frankenteen
RT @TheEllenShow Tell Mama I said hi! RT @chriscolfer I met the Pres of the United States, JK Rowling, and Ellen's Mom Betty!

NayaRivera
Just landed back at home. Such an incredible weekend and I will NEVER forget it!

druidDUDE
Back in la! Thank u DC for the most amazing time ever, did all that really happen today?!

IJennaUsh
Back in LA and back to work tomorrow! What an unforgettable weekend. :) thanks Mama Oprah and Papa Obama

frankenteen
back in LA. what an unforgettable weekend!

iharryshum
So I wasn't dreaming?Amazing weekend!Thanks 2 every1 who made this weekend a success!Thank u 4 all the support. will have some pics up soon!