Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at the 2023 Unveiling of the White House Holiday Ice Rink

South Lawn, The White House

When I was growing up, during winter, my sisters and I would ice skate on the frozen canals of the Delaware River.

We spent hours gliding across the glistening ice, our cheeks pink from the cold. And in those hours, what was normally an ordinary town and bridge, transformed into a bright, sparkling landscape, glittering as if covered in magic.

That’s how children often see the world this time of year: with magic, wonder, and joy. And that’s what inspired our White House holiday theme.

What’s more magical, wonderful, and joyful than an ice rink on the South Lawn of the White House?

I hope each of you enjoy your time here at the White House and that the memories you make will stay with you for all the holidays to come.

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Wasn’t that incredible?

Let’s give all of our performers another round of applause.

I want to thank the organizations who helped make this possible: the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation, Comcast, the NHL, the NHL Players Association, and Riedell.

Because of you, we get to bring a little more magic, wonder, and joy to the White House.

Now, who’s ready to skate?

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