Garfield Historic Site Hosting Annual Easter Egg Roll Today

The James A. Garfield National Historic Site will host its annual Easter Egg Roll from 1 to 3 p.m. today at the national park.

This program replicates the same day’s event hosted by the president at the White House.

The event will feature various games, crafts, activities and contests on the lawn of President James Garfield’s Mentor home, as well as an appearance by the Easter Bunny.

Several local organizations have teamed with the national park to help with the event, including the residents of The Fairways of Wickliffe who filled nearly 1,000 plastic eggs with candy for the day’s activities.

Additionally, is allowing park visitors to use its parking lot.

All activities are free of charge, including first-floor tours of Garfield's home. No entrance fee to the site will be charged on April 9. The event will be held rain or shine, though activities will be moved indoors in the event of poor weather .

Crafts and activities will begin at 1 p.m. An Easter egg hunt for children four and younger will begin at 2:30 p.m.; the egg roll races for age groups 5 and 6, 7 and 8, and 9 and 10 will begin immediately thereafter. Prizes will be awarded for each age group.

"We are pleased to again host the Easter Monday egg roll,” said Sherda Williams, the park's superintendent. "This is a great outdoor activity for children and is always educational and fun.

"It is also fitting to have the event here since President Garfield participated in the 1881 White House egg roll during his brief tenure in office."