President Joe Biden will be returning to the White House on Saturday after several days of Thanksgiving celebrations in Nantucket, a family tradition that has lasted decades.
The president and First Lady Jill Biden will board a plane at 7 p.m. at Nantucket Memorial Airport and fly back to Joint Base Andrews before heading home to the White House at 8:55 p.m., the White House said Friday.
The Biden’s enjoyed a family lunch on Friday afternoon at the Brotherhood of Thieves with their daughter Ashley, son Hunter, daughter-in-law Melissa, and grandson Beau, according to a White House pool report.
Following the meal, they took a stroll into downtown, visiting local shops and a book store, the report said.
Pedestrians cheered outside as they stopped by Nantucket Bookworks, Jared Coffin House, Samuel Owen Gallery, Centre Point, and Craftmasters of Nantucket the report said.
The Bidens then attended a Christmas tree lighting in the town square, the report said.
A brief countdown took place and the Biden’s applauded when the tree lit up 4:26 p.m., according to the report.
A children’s choir received a friendly greeting from the president after performing multiple Christmas carols, according to the report.
This visit will mark Biden’s final Thanksgiving to the island as president, and the first since Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential race to Donald Trump, who will return for a second term in the White House In January.
Kiera McDonald can be reached at kiera.mcdonald@globe.com.
