While President-elect Barack Obama is inviting all Americans to his historic inauguration on Jan. 20, not all of America can fit into Washington, D.C.
In fact, hotel rooms are filled from Philadelphia past southern Virginia.
So the Obama transition team wants to make sure anyone who wants can be part of a week of celebration that culminates on Inauguration Day.
“I have never seen anything like the excitement and anticipation that surrounds the Obama inauguration,” said U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay.
“On January 20, I will be offering hospitality in my Capitol Hill office to constituents who are in Washington for the big day. I will participate in the formal swearing-in ceremony and, depending on the weather and crowd situation, Mrs. (Ivie) Clay and I will probably attend some of the other celebrations.”
The National Mall will be open to the public, and the inauguration could draw up to 5 million people. Just as with the campaign, Obama is reaching out to all states through cyberspace.
“In the past, presidential inauguration events have too often focused on wealthy donors and Washington lobbyists,” said David Plouffe of Obama for America.
“This year, every American will have a chance to be part of the inauguration.”
There will be a number of celebrations on Inauguration Day, including several in St. Louis, and anyone who wants to receive information on any local events through email can register at http://www.pic2009.org/page/s/firsttoknow or http://www.pic2009.org/content/home/.
Having a ball
The St. Louis African American Caucus Foundation and St. Louis Young Democrats are hosting a black-tie event on Jan. 20 in the St. Louis City Hall rotunda.
The reception and ball will feature live feeds from Washington, D.C., following the inauguration and will include President-elect and
First Lady Michelle Obama’s first dance and visits to other celebrations.
“This is a great opportunity for every St. Louisan to share in this historic event,” said Alderman Terry Kennedy.
“We can all come together, enjoy dancing, good food and drinks, while we celebrate the beginning of what we all hope will be an incredible four years.”
Martin Casas, St. Louis Young Democrats president, said his organization is “pleased to be part of this celebration and look forward to eight years of positive change under the leadership of President Obama.”
“We can’t think of a better opportunity to celebrate with all the people who worked so hard throughout the campaign.
The VIP Reception and Dinner is from 6:30-8 p.m. on City Hall’s second floor and includes valet parking, open bar, dinner, photo opportunities and a silent auction. Tickets are $125 and include the Inaugural Ball.
The Ball is from 8 p.m. to midnight and is also open to the general public. Ticket price is $50 and includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
The New Millennium Group and Pisces Birthday Group will host their Inauguration Ball from 6 p.m. to midnight Jan. 20 at The Starlight Room, 8350 N. Broadway in the Baden neighborhood.
VIP seating is $50 and reserved seats are $35.
Admission includes two hours of two-for-one drink specials, a soul food buffet, live entertainment and souvenirs.
It is a black tie or African attire event. For more information, call Ron Gregory at (314) 361-7793.
Love train
President-elect Obama will board a train in Philadelphia on January 17 to make his way to Washington in the final leg of his and Michelle’s journey to the White House.
Before he begins that daylong trip, he’ll be doing events in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Del., where the Obamas will pick up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family. The next stop is to Baltimore and then on to Washington, D.C., where one of the nation’s largest inauguration celebrations in history will take place.
The next morning, the Obamas are scheduled to attend a prayer service.
All Democratic members of Missouri’s national delegation will be a part of that celebration, along with tens of millions of people across America.
“But,” Clay said, “my real focus is to get back to work with our new Congress to help President-elect Obama advance his agenda to put America back to work and get this country moving forward again.”