US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet trick-or-treaters during a Halloween event at the White House on Oct. 30, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
null - President Joe Biden and his wife and first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, held their final Halloween trick-or-treat event at the White House on Wednesday.
Up to 8,000 people, including students and children whose families were in the military, were expected to attend the event.
Books and candy
The first lady added an educational theme to the trick-or-treat event and named it "Hallo-Read."
Being a teacher for 40 years, Dr. Biden wanted to encourage children to read more. She even read a short story about spooky pumpkins to a group of children who were dressed up in their Halloween costumes before handing out candy with the president.
Panda costume
The first lady dressed as a giant panda for the event as a "welcoming gesture" for the pandas that arrived at the National Zoo earlier this month.
A large orange moon and a sign that said "Hallow-Read at the White House" decorated the south face of the executive mansion. The decorations also included cardboard representations of Willow, the family cat who is rarely seen in public, and stacks of books. Giant pumpkin decorations flanked the door.