Inauguration Updates

I get a flurry of e-mailed press releases from the the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (the constitutionally-mandated committee responsible for the president's swearing-in ceremony) and the Presidential Inaugural Committee (the president-elect's appointed committee that handles all the other festivities).

I'll try to skim through them and post interesting tidbits as I see them.

From the Presidential Inaugural Committee so far this week:

President-elect Obama will host a youth inaugural ball, five regional balls and a joint-ball for his home states of Illinois and Hawaii. Vice-President elect Joe Biden also will host a ball for his home state, Delaware.

The youth ball is aimed at young adults (18 to 35), and will be held at the Washington Hilton. Tickets are $75.

The regional balls are a inaugural traditions that Obama plans to continue, and will be held in the following locations:
East -- Union Station
Mid-Atlantic -- Washington Convention Center
Midwest -- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
South -- National Guard Armory
West -- Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Tickets for the regional balls are available to invited guest for $150.

The home states balls are also by invitation only, and the cost is $150. Both the Obama and the Biden Home States balls will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Other Balls:
The Neighborhood Inaugural Ball for DC residents will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and the Commander-in-Chief's ball for enlisted active duty and reserve military will be at the National Building Museum.