Thank you for contacting the office of Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge regarding the Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. January 20, 2009 will certainly be a historic event as millions of Ohioans and Americans across the nation witness the 56th inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. Please see the information below regarding event details and ticketing procedures for the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States.
Swearing In Ceremony Ticketing
It is expected that each House office will receive less than 200 inauguration tickets which are primarily for standing areas on the National Mall. The requests for tickets far exceed the availability. Our office has received thousands of requests for the ceremony. We are no longer taking reservations for the waiting list.
We will be distributing free tickets to the public through a random-drawing. The date of the drawing will be posted soon. We will contact everyone who has requested tickets by e-mail sometime in early January. Tickets cannot be mailed and will be distributed January 19, 2009 at our Washington, D.C. office, located at 1513 Longworth House Office Building between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
On January 20, 2009, please be advised that crowds will be extremely large for the ceremony and everyone is encouraged to arrive early. The ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. on January 20, 2009. Guests will be required to stand outside in the cold for at least three hours. Please dress accordingly. There will be no restrooms in the standing areas on the mall. Further limitations as they relate to strollers, food, and other prohibited items will be published by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies on its website in January. Additionally, the list of prohibited items will be published on the inaugural maps and tickets. Please note that all walking children will need a ticket for entrance. We will continue to post updates about Inaugural events as information becomes available.
For those who do not receive congressional tickets to the Inauguration, please understand that sections of the National Mall and Inaugural Parade route will be open to the public. No tickets are required. Large-screen televisions and audio speakers will be placed throughout the Mall to accommodate as many people as possible. Please keep in mind that if the weather is inclement, the outdoor Inaugural events may be cancelled and the swearing-in ceremony will take place inside the U.S. Capitol with only family members of the President-elect and Vice President-elect, members of Congress, members of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other officials in attendance.
Inaugural Parade
The Presidential Inaugural Committee organizes the Inaugural Parade. The parade begins at approximately 2:00 pm following the swearing in ceremony at the Capitol. The parade is open to the public with non-ticketed viewing areas. Requests by bands, schools, military personnel, and other organizations to participate in the Inauguration Day events are received by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee at: www.afic.northcom.mil.
After requests are received they are submitted to the Presidential Inaugural Committee for participant selection. Please contact the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee with additional questions or concerns. The parade route will follow Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
Inaugural Balls, Galas and Parties:
Please see the 2009 Inaugural website for information regarding all unofficial events, balls, galas, receptions or parties at: http://www.inaugural.senate.gov
