The Biden family's tradition of eating lunch, shopping and watching a Christmas tree lighting in downtown Nantucket on Friday became mostly about keeping the president's 2-year-old grandson from having a meltdown.
Biden President Joe Biden removes his hat as he is recognized during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. Hunter Biden holds his son Beau Biden at left. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Biden President Joe Biden stands with first lady Jill Biden and family members from left, grandson Beau Biden, daughter-in-law Melissa Cohen, son Hunter Biden and daughter Ashley Biden during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Biden President Joe Biden walks with his grandson Beau Biden in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Biden President Joe Biden walks by shops in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Biden First lady Jill Biden waves as she walks with President Joe Biden in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Biden President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden leave Nantucket Bookworks in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Biden President Joe Biden is seen through a window as he shops in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Biden President Joe Biden whistles at the end of a performance as first lady Jill Biden applauds during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Biden President Joe Biden uses his phone while waiting for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony to begin in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Biden President Joe Biden stands with his son Hunter Biden and other family members during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Nantucket, Mass., Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. Ashley Biden talks with Melissa Cohen as she helps her son Beau Biden ring a bell that was given to him by the town crier. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — The Biden family’s tradition of eating lunch, shopping and watching a Christmas tree lighting in downtown Nantucket on Friday became mostly about keeping the president’s 2-year-old grandson from having a meltdown.
There was President Joe Biden’s daughter, Ashley, dancing and clapping with nephew Beau to “Jingle Bell Rock” to keep him entertained as they waited with the crowd that had gathered for the 48th annual tree lighting ceremony on Main St.
There was Beau perched on the shoulders of his dad, Hunter Biden.
There was Beau being carried by his father, then not being carried by his father, then appearing to say things that suggested he wanted to get out of the cold and intermittent heavy rain.
Beau’s grandfather walked with him at various points.
Every member of the family seemed to be doing whatever they could to keep blond-haired Beau, who is named after his late uncle, happy for a few hours until the tree was lit.
The Bidens have a more than 40-year tradition of spending Thanksgiving on Nantucket, an island off the coast of Massachusetts.
The day after, they go out to lunch — this year, they dined at the Brotherhood of Thieves restaurant. Afterward, they hit Nantucket Bookworks, a nearby bookstore. The president emerged carrying his purchases in a reusable tote bag.
They meandered along downtown Nantucket’s cobblestone streets, going into some stores and window shopping at others. The first lady and Ashley had gotten some of their shopping done earlier Friday, so the spree after lunch was mostly for the president.
Biden spent time inside a leather goods store and a pet store, among other businesses. At one point, he looked through the window of a lingerie store but did not go inside.
“We’re thankful for you,” someone yelled to the president.
The tree lighting ceremony went off with a bit of a hitch. The red, green and blue lights on the tree failed to come on following a countdown from 10.
The high school’s a capella chorus came out to sing until the problem was solved and the tree was illuminated, ushering in the Christmas season in Nantucket.
