While progress on President Donald Trump’s plans for a massive addition to the White House made headlines this week, First Lady Melania Trump announced Halloween plans for the presidential residence this year.
According to a Friday press release from the White House, the president and first lady will “open the South Lawn of the White House to trick or treaters of all ages,” from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 30. It said that this White House tradition draws thousands of children and parents who can check out the Halloween decorations on the South Portico of the White House.
Ticketholders are invited to the event, along with military families, law enforcement families, foster and adoptive families, and Trump administration officials with children.
“The President and First Lady will hand out commemorative candies on the South Drive for a portion of the event,” the White House said. “Adding to the festivities and fun, the United States (U.S.) Air Force Strolling Strings will play traditional Halloween songs and modern tunes while the President and First Lady welcome children and families.”
Toy mail trucks will be provided by the U.S. Postal Service for the event, and the USPS will facilitate a post card station linked with the first lady’s “BE BEST” initiative focused on children. Families can also take a photo with a giant pumpkin and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will hand out miniature pumpkins. Washington state and New York state apples will be on hand thanks to the International Fresh Produce Association, as well as sweets from the National Confectioners Association.
America 250, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Park Service, the U.S. Mint, the U.S. Secret Service, the White House Historical Association, and the Center of Science and Industry are also expected to participate in the event.
“Please note that the U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit personal items, including but not limited to those mentioned at www.secretservice.gov/prohibiteditems,” the White House added. “Strollers, wheelchairs, umbrellas (no metal tips), and cameras are permitted. All items needed for medical purposes will be permitted on the tour (such as wheelchairs, electric scooters, glucose tablets, and EpiPens). Please identify and explain all items needed for medical purposes to Secret Service agents upon arrival.”
If there is inclement weather on Oct. 30, the event will be rescheduled. Those planning to attend can call the 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7040 to check on the status.
On the same day that the press release was issued, the president fielded questions about renovations underway at the White House, specifically demolition of the historic East Wing to make rom for a new 90,000 square foot ballroom. Per the White House Historical Association, the current square footage of the Ground Floor, State Floor, and residence floors of the White House White House is just 55,000. However, that does not include the West Wing and the East Wing. A recent poll from YouGov shows that many Americans are not in support of the demolition.
“We acknowledge the utility of a larger meeting space at the White House, but we are deeply concerned that the massing and height of the proposed new construction will overwhelm the White House itself – it is 55,000 square feet – and may also permanently disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the White House with its two smaller, and lower, East and West Wings,” said Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation nonprofit organization in a statement this week.
Trump told reporters Friday that $350 million has been raised for the ballroom project, previously estimated to cost $200 million to $250 million. He has long wanted to build a room for large gatherings at the White House, and has complained about having to hold events in tents at the property.
ABC News reported Friday that senior administration revealed that some were already referring to the ballroom as “The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom” but Trump refuted that. When speaking to reporters, he called it “fake news.”
The president said that it will probably be called it “the ‘Presidential Ballroom’ or something like that,” but added that there hasn’t been much discussion on the topic yet. Trump said it is going to be a “big, beautiful room” when it is complete. Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of his term in 2029.