Photo of the Rose Garden courtesy White House Historical Association

For all those locals who were disappointed by having to compete for tickets to the annual White House Easter Egg Roll with the entire internet, some good news: the White House has announced it will offer its traditional Gardens and Grounds Tours April 18-19, and unlike the Easter Egg Roll, tickets for the tours will be available in person only, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The White House Garden Tours are an annual tradition begun in 1972 by first lady Pat Nixon, who first opened the White House gardens to the public.

The tours will include the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, the Children’s Garden and the South Lawn of the White House. You’ll also be able to see Michelle Obama’s new White House Kitchen Garden, albeit from a bit of a distance along the tour route.

The tours will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 19.

The National Park Service will distribute timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on each tour day beginning at 8 a.m. The tours are totally free, but each person, including small children, must have a ticket. The line for the tours typically starts very early in the morning.

In case of inclement weather, the Garden Tours will be canceled. Potential visitors are asked to call (202) 456-7041 to check on the status of the event.

A list of prohibited items is below the jump.