Easter festivities took centre-stage at the White House on Monday as US President George Bush [Images] and wife Laura hosted the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

Live rocks bands, stage performances and egg roll races marked the festivities as the White House lawns teemed with merry-making kids.

The theme of the annual event, which was started by President Rutherford B Hayes in 1878, was ocean conservation.

Media reports added that every kid walked away with a commemorative White House wooden Easter egg along with an activity coloring book, baseball cards of the first family's pets, a White House bookmark, a children's book, candy and a commemorative.

Image: The US President embraces the Easter Bunny during the festivities in the White House.
Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images