WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and his wife, Jilldressed as a giant panda trick-or-treating for the last time on the South Lawn of the White House on Wednesday.

The First Lady had attended the National Zoos notice Earlier this year it was announced that pandas would be returning to Washington. They arrived in the country's capital In mid-October, 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. That was her Teacher for 40 years. Earlier Wednesday, she read a short story about spooky pumpkins to a group of costumed children gathered on the lawn.

Later, she and the president ventured outside at sunset and spent about an hour handing out treats. Biden, in a suit and tie, tossed boxes of White House Hershey's Kisses chocolates into children's tote bags while the first lady handed out copies of “10 Spooky Pumpkins.”

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

A large orange moon and a sign reading “Halloween Reading at the White House” decorated the mansion’s south facade. Decorations also included cardboard depictions 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 office in January.