So you’ve decided to ignore the facts that it will be cold as the arctic, millions of people will be in your way and the city will be a militarized zone– you’re coming anyway. Well here are some Inaugural Do’s and Don’ts and other helpful advice:
This is how it will go down: President Elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on the West front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20th at 10am. The best view of this is on 3rd Street NW/SW, in between Pennsylvania Ave NW and Independence Ave SW. This is the section of 3rd street that separates the Capitol lawn from the National Mall. Immediately after being sworn in, Obama will walk through the Capitol to the East Front (other side) where then former President George W. Bush will have a brief departure ceremony and newly inaugurated President Obama will ceremonially review troops. Ceremonial platoons from each of the military services will march by the president in formation and then he will get in his motorcade and proceed up Pennsylvania Ave to the White House as part of the parade. U.S. Troops will line Pennsylvania Avenue for 13 blocks from the Capitol to the White House.
Suggestions and Thoughts:
Do get here early– like this week. Take some time to go down to the National Mall and see the setup efforts for the Inaugural ceremony– cause unless you’re going to camp out on January 19th, you’ll be nowhere near there on January 20th. So,a few days in advance, take Metro to the Smithsonian exit and when the escalator spits you out on the Mall walk east to the West front of the Capitol. Get a DC street map– not just a map of the Mall area and monuments, a map of the WHOLE city you may need it to navigate on foot.
On the day of, leave home early– If you’re Inaugural accomodations are in Virginia, get your car into the city before the bridges close or get close enough to a bridge to walk. All bridges from Arlington into DC will be closed to everything except tour buses and pedestrian traffic on Inauguration day. Even a Senator friend of my husband told him he’s planning on spending the night before Inauguration in his office.
Comfortable shoes– please don’t sacrifice comfort for cuteness the morning of Inauguration. Keep in mind that due to security concerns, Metro is closing the closest Metro stops to the National Mall. You will be walking from at least a mile away to get to the ceremony and parade. The U.S. Secret Service has requested that The Judiciary Square Metrorail station on the Red Line and the Mt.Vernon Sq/7th St Convention Center Metrorail station on the Yellow and Green lines close early; As well as Archives-Navy Memorial on the Yellow and Green lines, and Smithsonian on the Blue and Orange lines.
To get to the Ceremony I suggest using the Union Station metro stop on the red line or Capitol South on the blue/orange. And (note to out-of-towners) PLEASE remmeber when using metro station escalators that you stand to the right and pass on the left.
Leave the kids home– based on space limitations, the Presidential Inaugural Committee has banned strollers, collapsible chairs, umbrellas, coolers, bags and other items from the Inaugural ceremony. You will be holding the baby for hours.
Parties– There are a LOT of Inaugural Balls, 10 official ones. These are the balls where the President and First lady are obligated to show up, dance one dance and roll-out to the next one. The unofficial parties are the ones you really want to be bothered with. Because this is Obama, many celebrities are reportedly throwing private parties– so if you know any celebs, work your contacts now! The Creative Coalition is throwing an ultra-exclusive bash with tickets selling at a minimum of $10,000 for a pair. Susan Sarandon and Anne Hathaway will be there. Sting is performing. There’s also a Hip Hop Ball featuring LL Cool J, and Russell Simmons. A possible party thrown by Oprah is shrouded in mystery
I will be at a Media VIP Ball at Indulj. Tickets to that are $100 per person and $150 per couple. The venue is unbelievable, red carpet arrivals start at 8p.
Other Events– there is so much going on to accompany January 20th. This Sunday is the big concert at the Lincoln Memorial featuring some of music’s biggest names– Beyonce, U2, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor. The president-elect and his family are due to attend, with Obama expected to speak.
Other performers include Stevie Wonder, Renee Fleming, Garth Brooks, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend and Jennifer Nettles. Historical passages will be read by Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington, with other celebrities expected to join them.
Finally, Its cold– I would highly suggest going to Burlington coat factory, landsend.com or the thrift store (as my friend Shercrisha so economically suggested) and buying some snow pants and some good gloves and well insulated boots… if you plan to be outside for hours, you will need to survive.
For the latest on road closures, I’m sure our web producer Emily will love me for directing you to log on to www.acapitalchange.com
