WASHINGTON (CBSDC/AP) — Oscar is visiting the nation’s capital.

One of the golden statuettes that are handed out at the Academy Awards is visiting Washington, D.C. on Thursday as part of Oscar’s first national tour, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The 8.5-pound statue was spotted outside the White House on Thursday morning and made various stops at other D.C. locations throughout the day. It will be at Le Meridien Hotel in Arlington from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Fans will have a chance to hold the trophy, take photos with it and even give a pretend acceptance speech with Oscar in hand.

The 21-day tour began Monday in New York City, and the golden guy’s journey is being chronicled online. Fans can follow the Oscar statue’s progress in its 10-city stop and even make suggestions for stops along the way.

In addition to D.C., the statuette already travelled to Philadelphia and will head north to Baltimore on Friday. It also will make appearances in Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Mo., Houston, Dallas and Phoenix before arriving in Hollywood for the Academy Awards on Feb. 24.

Follow WNEW on Twitter.