honoluluadvertiser.com
Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
These 10 are on Obama's list | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper
Posted on: Sunday, January 18, 2009

These 10 are on Obama's list


Gannett News Service

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

One of Washington's most prestigious events is the inaugural ball at which the new president appears. From left: George W. Bush and Laura Bush; Bill and Hillary Clinton; George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush; and Ronald and Nancy Reagan at their inaugural balls.

Associated Press

spacer spacer

We've got a new president, and it's time to party!

Dozens of venues from Alexandria and Arlington, Va., to National Harbor, Md., to the nation's capital will be decked out for inaugural balls in honor of Barack Obama.

But only 10 will get a guaranteed appearance from the president and his wife, Michelle:

WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

  • Obama Home States Inaugural Ball for Hawai'i and Illinois invited guests.

  • Biden Home States Ball for Delaware and Pennsylvania guests.

  • Mid-Atlantic Ball for District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia guests.

  • Midwest Ball for Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin invited guests.

  • Neighborhood Ball for District of Columbia residents and other guests.

  • Western Ball for Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Guam and American Samoa invited guests.

    NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM

  • Commander-in-Chief's Ball for enlisted active duty and reserve military.

    NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY

  • Southern Inaugural Ball for Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas invited guests.

    WASHINGTON HILTON

  • Youth Inaugural Ball for young Americans ages 18 to 35.

    UNION STATION

  • Eastern Inaugural Ball for Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands invited guests.

    OTHERS

    Hawai'i's first-ever inaugural ball is not on the list of official sites, says Sarah Ulis, Hawaii State Society president.

    "We're still hopeful that he will come and surprise us," Ulis says of the new president born in the 50th state, which celebrates its 50th anniversary as a state Aug. 21.

    To celebrate the nation's first African-American president, BET network is joining with America's Promise Alliance for its first inaugural ball. Meanwhile, sister network MTV has its first ball in 16 years, which is among several celebrating the estimated 23 million people ages 18 to 29 who voted Nov. 4.

    If you had planned it right, you could have celebrated for five straight nights, Friday to Tuesday, at black-tie affairs throughout the Washington region.

    But tickets aren't cheap, even if you're invited. Among the bargains: The unofficial District of Columbia Inaugural Ball at City Hall. Its 51st State theme will get you in the door for $51 apiece.

     Dennis Camire, Nichelle Smith and Linda Dono of Gannett News Service contributed to this report.
    • Advertisement
    Advertisement