U.S. Air Force Strolling Strings Perform for Halloween 2020
This photograph of violinists from the United States Air Force Strolling Strings performing on the west staircase of the South Portico was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020, during a Halloween celebration at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The staircase is decorated with vibrant purple and orange chrysanthemums and cascading pumpkins. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution.