White House Announces Expanded Schedule For 2012 Fall Garden Tours: Two October Weekends

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Visitors are invited to view the South Lawn gardens and grounds; First Lady's Kitchen Garden is included...
The White House on Friday announced that it is doubling the opportunities for visitors wanting to attend the 2012 Fall Garden and Grounds tours, expanding the annual event to two weekends in October rather than one, as in past years. Visitors on the self-guided tour around the South Lawn will not only get to see the Rose Garden where President Obama gives important addresses and plays "fetch" with First Dog Bo, but they'll also be able to see First Lady Michelle Obama's Kitchen Garden in all its autumnal glory. Pumpkins are currently ripe and ready to be plucked in the 1,500 square foot showcase vegetable garden.

The tours are free and open to the public, but tickets are required. The announced dates are Saturday, October 13th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Sunday, October 14th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Friday, October 19th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturday, October 20th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Tickets are required fro each visitor, including small children. The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on each tour day beginning at 8:00 AM. Tickets will be distributed -- one ticket per person -- on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cameras are welcome, and strollers, wheelchairs, umbrellas are permitted, but "the U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items," the White House noted.

"All items needed for medical purposes will be permitted on the tour (e.g. wheelchairs, electric scooters, glucose tablets, EpiPens, etc.). Please identify and explain all items needed for medical purposes to U.S. Secret Service upon arrival."

In the event of inclement weather, the Garden Tours may be cancelled. Please call the 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7041 to check on the status of the event.

The list of prohibited items for the tour:

Aerosols of any kind
Animals (except guide dogs)
Backpacks (oversized)
Balloons
Food or beverages of any kind
Duffle bags/suitcases
Any pointed object
Electric stun guns
Fireworks/firecrackers
Insulated metal containers
Guns/ammunition
Knives of any kind
Mace
Tobacco

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*Photo by Pete Souza/White House