Obamas Welcome Trick-or-Treaters to White House for Last Time

What to Know

  • The President and First Lady are welcoming local schoolchildren and children of military families to trick-or-treating at the White House.
  • More than 4,000 people are expected for the event, which takes place at the South Portico decorated for the occasion.

The president and first lady hosted their final Halloween party at the White House Monday afternoon.

The first couple welcomed students from D.C., Virginia and Maryland schools, as well as children of military families, to trick-or-treat at the South Portico of the White House.

More than 4,000 people were expected at this year’s Halloween festivities, according to a statement from the Office of the First Lady.

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For this year's theme, the White House and surrounding grounds were transformed into A Storybook Journey, which included decorations and performances inspired by classic tales such as "Mother Goose," "Peter Pan," "Alice in Wonderland," "The Wizard of Oz" and "Peter Rabbit."

Students from the Joy of Motion Dance Center led a flash mob to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The Obamas joined in from the sidelines, showing off their own "Thriller" moves. 

The president handed out White House Hershey's Kisses while the first lady handed out cookies.

In addition, an assortment of treats were also provided, including White House M&Ms, fruit bars, kettle corn, and Bo and Sunny baseball cards.

"Because you being up all night with a sugar rush is exactly what your parents want," Obama joked. 

The president took mock offense to one trick-or-treater's President Obama costume, which included silver spray-painted hair.

"Is this supposed to be me?" Obama asked. "Man, I'm not that gray yet." 

Want to add some White House style to your own Halloween party? The official White House Halloween press release included the "official" White House Halloween cookie recipe:

  • 1 lb. sugar
  • 2 lbs. butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 3 lbs. all-purpose flour

Mix the butter and sugar till soft and well beaten. Then add eggs, vanilla, salt and half the flour. Beat on slow speed till mixed, then add the rest of the flour and mix until incorporated.

Push flat onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight. Roll out to one quarter inch thick and cut out cookie shapes with cookie cutter.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 minutes and allow to cool.

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