First Lady’s 'Hallo-READ!' Theme Ushers in Halloween at the White House

The Bidens welcome thousands of trick or treaters for the last time.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden (R) attend a Halloween trick-or-treat event at the South Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 30, 2024. (Photo by TIERNEY CROSS/AFP via Getty Images)

President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden greeted trick or treaters on the South Lawn Wednesday, the last Halloween event they will host at the White House. 

They welcomed about 8,000 guests that included local public school students and military-connected children. Dr. Biden, an educator for more than three decades, created the theme “Hallo-READ!” The first lady was dressed in a full-size panda costume handing out copies of the book 10 Spooky Pumpkins. She had helped announce the return of pandas to the National Zoo earlier this month and, according to the White House, wore the costume as a “welcoming gesture.” The president wore a suit and gave boxes of White House Hershey’s Kisses chocolates to trick or treaters. 

The South Portico was decorated with a large or…