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Obama's Official Inaugural Balls (Finally!) Announced
Hooray! Some answers!
By
Emily Leaman
Published Tuesday, January 06, 2009
With the inauguration just two weeks away, it's about time the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced the official inaugural balls.
In addition to the already-on-the-books Commander-in-Chief Ball and Neighborhood Ball, the PIC announced earlier this morning that Barack Obama will be host a Youth Inaugural Ball, five regional inaugural balls, and balls for his home states, Illinois and Hawaii. Joe Biden will host balls for his home states, Delaware and Pennsylvania, as well. This rounds out the list of ten official balls taking place this year.
The Youth Ball, geared toward those ages 18 to 35, will be held at the Washington Hilton; tickets will be $75. For twice the price—$150 a ticket—Obama's and Biden's home-state balls will be held at the Washington Convention Center.
The regional balls will be held at locations throughout the city. Here are the details:
• The Eastern Inaugural Ball, for guests from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, will take place at Union Station.
• The Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball, for guests from Maryland, Virginia, DC, New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia, will take place at the Washington Convention Center.
• The Midwest Inaugural Ball, for guests from Kansas, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Missouri, will be held at the Washington Convention Center.
• The Southern Inaugural Ball, for guests from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, will be held at the National Guard Armory.
• The Western Inaugural Ball, for guests from Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma, and Guam, will be held at the Washington Convention Center.
All of the official balls will take place on the evening of Inauguration Day, January 20. These are the only parties that both the president and vice president are guaranteed to attend. No word yet on whether the duo will make an appearance at any of the unofficial events.
Looking to get in on the glitz and glam of inauguration night? Check out our list of events, balls, and galas happening around town to celebrate the new president. >> All Washingtonian.com inauguration coverage More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Society Photos
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Comments
Can Someone Tell The Answer To Why The President Has To Attend 10 Balls??
Posted by: Krischell, Jan 23, 2009 02:47:14 PM
i purchased tickets to the southern ball on pic2009.org. i recieved a thank you with a note that they would contact soon. how can I reach the inaugural commitee with questions i LEAVE FOR dc sUNDAY.
Posted by: lisa, Jan 15, 2009 10:16:24 AM
I totally agree with these posters! Even though I manage to snag a couple of inaugural ball tickets, my other events are centered around my convictions and communities. The only unofficial balls I attend use ticket proceed to fund their foundations.
Posted by: phenomena, Jan 14, 2009 06:30:31 PM
Emily, Do you know what the hours are for these balls, and do they include any food/drink??
Thanks!
Posted by: Bob, Jan 13, 2009 02:06:46 PM
I would like to attend the Mid -Western Ball at the Convention Center for IN. I worked the campaign in In. and was also a poll watcher.Are there any invitations for persons such as myself or is there a need to purchase tickets and are they available? I am in Va. now at my sons ,who is a Federal agent in the Richmond Va. office . He is T.C. McIntosh and prior to Va. was agent in Charge is the St Louis Mo. office. I was born in St. Louis in "The Ville". I undertsand that the Motown Revue will be part of the intertainment.
They also appeard in St. Louis when President Obama was here, Idrove to
st. Louis to the waterfront to hear him. I was in Columbus In. front and center and also in Louisville Ky.To have lived to be a part of this is a dream come true! My Father has been with me in spirit all the way,for he along with Asa Phillip Randolph were a a force behind The Unionnization of The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. I am so proud to be alive to have been of service, and lived to see this day! My home adress in Columbus In. is 2315 Washingtons St.
Columbus IN47201
Posted by: Delores Harris McIntosh, Jan 12, 2009 05:58:24 AM
Hey Mark - Pick a ball that supports a cause that you are interested in. I like the Green and Blue Diamond balls. The Health and welfare of our planet and body is the most important thing we have.
Posted by: Luke, Jan 10, 2009 05:28:47 AM
Actually, yes, there’s also The Green Ball which is also an unofficial ball. It kicks off the week as it’s on the 17th at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. But I looked into the Blue Diamond Ball you mentioned and was thrilled to see that it benefits Universal Healthcare. How great to put your money towards something that actually matters!
Posted by: Peta, Jan 09, 2009 08:25:26 PM
Good call with the Blue Diamond Inaugural Ball, Mark. I saw that and was excited to see it benefits Universal Healthcare. Very cool. Another one I heard about that is open to the public is the Green Ball at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. That one actually kicks off the week as it’s on the 17th.
Posted by: Peta, Jan 09, 2009 08:07:05 PM
Question—Joe Biden is hosting a separate ball for PA as one of his "Home State" balls, so it’s not lumped in with the regional ones. Same goes for Hawaii, Illinois, and Delaware, since the first two are considered Obama’s home states, and the last one is also Biden’s.
Make sense?
Posted by: Emily Leaman, Jan 07, 2009 07:52:00 AM
What about Pennsylvania?
Posted by: Question, Jan 06, 2009 02:16:01 PM
Now I know where not to be.
Posted by: Nobama, Jan 06, 2009 12:40:15 PM
Hi Mark - check out this post for some more inaugural balls: http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/people/capitalcomment/10034.html
And also check back later today for a post on concerts, bar parties, and more that are taking place inauguration week.
Posted by: Catherine, Jan 06, 2009 10:52:58 AM
I noticed that there seem to be quite a few unofficial events but all seem interesting. I was especially interested in the Blue Diamond Inaugural Ball to be held at the Museum of Natural History as Jackson Browne and Graham Nash will be performing. Does anyone have other info on some of the cooler Balls happening around the city?
Posted by: Mark, Jan 06, 2009 10:34:20 AM
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