Inauguration 2009: Obama’s Having A Ball
"Inaugural 09 Hotel Madness..." courtesy Flickr user dbking
The best part of Inauguration might possibly be what happens after the swearing in.
After the speeches are given and the parade has marched through it’s time for the real celebration- the Inaugural Balls.
The night life on inaugural weekend out in full force with an extra few million in town and bars, restaurants, and clubs expected to be opening a little bit later than usual, there’s going to be a party somewhere. The key is to find the one you want to go to.
President-Elect Obama and Vice-President-Elect Biden will be hosting 10 balls and has recently announced the lineup of official galas (all official balls are going to be held on Inauguration Day, January 20th.):
Youth Inaugural Ball
The Youth ball is intended for young Americans aged 18-35 and will celebrate the Inauguration of the new president and the role young Americans can play to serve their communities.
Washington Hilton, Tickets: $75
Obama Home States Inaugural Ball & Biden Home States Inaugural Ball
Obama and Biden will each host guests from their home states to a ball to celebrate their inaugurations with those who know them best – their friends, families and local supporters.
Illinois and Hawaii invited guests; Delaware and Pennsylvania invited guests.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Tickets: $150
Eastern Inaugural Ball
CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, PR, and USVI invited guests
Union Station, Tickets: $150
Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball
MD, VA, DC, NY, NJ, and WV invited guests
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Tickets: $150
Midwest Inaugural Ball
KS, IN, IA, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI, and MO invited guests
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Tickets: $150
Southern Inaugural Ball
AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, and TX invited guests
National Guard Armory, Tickets: $150
Western Inaugural Ball
AK, CA, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY, AZ, CO, NV, NM, UT, OK, GUAM/AS invited guests
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Tickets $150
Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
With tickets available free or at an affordable price, it is the first official inaugural ball of its kind to be held during a presidential inauguration. A portion of tickets for this event will be set aside for District of Columbia residents. The ball will also feature a robust interactive component, including webcasting and text messaging, to link neighborhoods across the country with the new President and this premier event.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Tickets: TBD
Commander-in-Chief’s Inaugural Ball
President-Elect Barack Obama will host the Commander-in-Chief’s inaugural ball to honor the country’s active duty and reserve military. Additional invited guests will include wounded warriors (Purple Heart recipients), families of fallen heroes, and spouses of deployed military.
National Building Museum, Tickets: Free to those invited, closed to the public
If you aren’t one of the lucky ones to get an invite to an official ball- not to fear there’s plenty of “unofficial” parties that weekend. Unofficial affairs range from the popular Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball put on by the Texas State Society to family friendly affairs like the Children’s Inaugural Ball. A couple of DC bloggers are hosting Bloggerational Ball 2009, in honor of all the New Media geeks out there (does that mean I should try and go?)
The Washington Post, Washingtonian, and About.com all have very comprehensive listings on Inaugural bashes in the district. I also suggest signing up for the DC for Obama newsletter; the group has also been distributing listings of local parties.
Of course not everybody will be in the mood for partying, like the Republicans who are reported to be fleeing in mass.
Also those that know better, like WP’s Roxanne Roberts, gives us tips on surviving a ball while warning us to stay away.
This week I am going to figure out exactly how I want to take on Inauguration but I’ll tell you what- parties are going to be a big part of it.
