141st White House Easter Egg Roll featured musical eggs, ‘Be Best Hopscotch’

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

President Donald Trump blows the whistle to start a race during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

President Donald Trump, joined by the Easter Bunny and first lady Melania Trump speaks from the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

The Incredible Egg, which provides all 74,000 real eggs for rolling, dyeing and eating, also provides the first lady with a commemorative egg gift of her own, intricately emblazoned with “Be Best.” The 2019 Commemorative Egg, the 42nd of its kind, was designed by artist Cecilia Glembocki, the executive director of the Virginia Egg Council.

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

President Donald Trump gives a girl the whistle he used for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

A girl tucks a bunny into her jacket as she attends the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Colored Easter Eggs are ready on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

First lady Melania Trump high fives a child on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump signs a child’s colored picture on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

First lady Melania Trump reads “The Wonderful Things You Will Do,” to children on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump talks with children as they color on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump shows a drawing of the Washington Monument he colored in as he sits with children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Guests await the arrival of President Donald Trump, the Easter Bunny and first lady Melania Trump at the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, right, sit with children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

A crowd gathers to watch President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

A girl stands at a little podium as her father stands nearby at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

Guests pick up free eggs at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

Children play during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Guests take photos at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

Children dye Easter eggs at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Guests attend the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Children take part in the 141st annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on Monday, April 22, 2019 in Washington. This year 74,000 eggs were donated by America’s egg farmers for rolling, decorating and snacking at the event, supported by the American Egg Board. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for the American Egg Board)

Children hunt for Easter eggs at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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Over a century of Easter tradition continued Monday at the White House, where thousands gathered for the annual Easter Egg Roll.

President Donald Trump launched The White House’s largest annual event with the blast of a whistle and sent spoon-wielding kids into a frenzy as they used the utensils to coax hard-boiled eggs to the finish line.

“This is 141 years that we’ve been doing this,” Trump said, addressing the crowd from the Truman Balcony, where he was joined by first lady Melania Trump before they came downstairs to mingle with guests on the South Lawn.

“I don’t remember the first one,” Trump joked. The White House Easter Egg roll is one of the oldest traditions in the executive mansion’s history, dating back to 1878 under President Rutherford B. Hayes.

After blowing the whistle to begin one of many egg rolls taking place throughout the day, Trump joined children seated at a picnic table, where they colored cards for U.S. troops. He appeared to answer a question from a child about the wall the president wants to build along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Oh, it’s happening. It’s being built now,” Trump said at the table. “There’s a young guy just said, `Keep building that wall.’ Do you believe this? He’s going to be a conservative someday.”

The president also talked about the economy and the military, telling the crowd on a sunny morning that “Our country is doing fantastically” and that he is rebuilding the armed forces “to a level we have never seen before.”

For the 141st edition, the first lady introduced new activities including musical eggs and “Be Best Hopscotch,” incorporating her ongoing campaign to combat online bullying.

A record-breaking 74,000 eggs were donated for this year’s festivities by farmers across the country, according to the American Egg Board.

The rest of the day’s activities included a musical stage, an egg hunt, egg and cookie decorating, and multiple photo opportunities, including at a mini presidential lectern.

In the reading nook, Mrs. Trump read “The Wonderful Things You Will Be” by Emily Winfield Martin.

U.S. military bands provided entertainment.

The White House grounds opened to attendees at 7:30 a.m. Tickets were awarded by lottery between Feb. 28 and March 4.

In addition to the White House event, the National Zoo is holding a public Easter event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, featuring egg hunts, live music, food trucks and games.

The zoo’s celebration coincides with Earth Day, and will feature keeper talks and learning opportunities on wildlife conservation.

Across the region, Earth Day events are being held Monday and throughout April.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.