The Bidens hosted their last Halloween trick-or-treating event. The first lady came as a giant panda

WASHINGTON – Chair Joe Biden and his wife, Jillwho dressed as a giant panda, hosted trick-or-treaters for the final time on the South Lawn of the White House on Wednesday.

The first lady had attended the National Zoos announcement earlier this year, pandas were expected to return to Washington. They arrived in the nation’s capital in mid-October and Jill Biden donned the panda suit on Wednesday as a “welcome gesture,” the White House said.

Jill Biden added an educational theme to the event, calling it “Hello-Read” to encourage reading. She’s been teacher for forty years. Earlier Wednesday, she read a short story about spooky pumpkins to a group of costumed children gathered on the lawn.

She and the president later ventured outside at sunset and spent about an hour handing out treats. Biden, in a suit and tie, dropped boxes of Hershey’s Kisses chocolates from the White House into the children’s tote bags, while the first lady passed out copies of “10 Spooky Pumpkins.”

Up to 8,000 people, including students and children affiliated with the military, were expected to pass through the White House gates during the day.

A large orange moon and a sign that read “Hallow-Read at the White House” adorned the south side of the executive mansion. The decorations also included cardboard images of Willow, the family cat which is rarely seen in public, and stacks of books. Huge pumpkin decorations flanked the door.

Biden dropped his bid for re-election in July. He will leave his position in January.