$150 inaugural ball tickets? Yes, but no guarantee Obama will show
I just scored inaugural ball tickets for a pretty reasonable $150 each. Surprised? Me too.
No, it’s not a house party. A bunch of my college buddies and I will be attending the black-tie State Society of Arizona Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20 in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building on K Street across from the convention center. Before Barack Obama was elected president on Nov. 4, we decided to meet in Washington, D.C., to be part of what we knew — however the vote came out — would be a historic event.
“A lot of people coming to D.C. want to be part of the inauguration, Republican or Democrat,” says ball chairwoman Katie Vliestra. “It’s really a very cool time to be in D.C.” This event was planned long before John McCain was the GOP nominee, Vliestra says, and really is meant to “support Arizona on the national scene.” (Note to self: Brush up on Arizona lore.)
As of today (Nov. 7) , you can still get tickets — first come, first served — to the ball; we were able to snag 14 for our group. The party’s at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., building and runs from 8 p.m. to midnight. Single tickets, $175; couple, $300; group of four, $650. (For more information, go to the website, call (202) 777-2612 or e-mail katie@azstatesociety.org).
Related post: “Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony: How to get inauguration tickets”
A big disclaimer: “Inaugural ball” doesn’t guarantee you get to rub elbows with Barack Obama and Joe Biden; it merely means you have a ticket to a party in honor of them. (The really big-name balls and events are organized by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which hasn’t yet been named.)
During our hunt for tickets, we checked out the ball at my alma mater, George Washington University, but it sold out in a day. Online commercial websites today — none of which I’ve vetted, so I won’t link to them here — are advertising tickets at $2,500 per person to “the official” galas hosted by Illinois and Hawaii.
So I feel like I got a bit of a deal. What are the odds of Obama showing up? Vliestra has no idea, though she points out that Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano popped up on the transition team. Either way, I get to party with my buddies and be part of history. Of course now we’re trawling for another ball so we can party-hop …
– Mary Forgione, Los Angeles Times staff writer
[Photo: www.historydc.org]
12 Comments on “$150 inaugural ball tickets? Yes, but no guarantee Obama will show”
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November 8th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
We are trying to bring our 10 year old daughter and 15 year old son to the swearing in ceremonies on January 20. Please let me know how to get tickets or even “if” we need tickets to the swearing in event. I always thought the The Mall area was open to “THE PEOPLE”. Waiting to hear from anyone with answers. Thank you.
Rhonda Derbigny
November 8th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
You need a place to stay too — and the hotel prices are not cheap! I know of a great site that might help you…
The Room Exchange Network (www.roomexnet.com) is a FREE online service that matches trustworthy people seeking short-term housing with people providing rooms or properties on a short-term, sublet basis. There is NO CHARGE for using this site. Some of these hotels charge $700 per night — you might find something cheaper here.
November 15th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I go to GW as well and cannot find reasonably priced tix anywhere! I would get these except that you need to be 21 and I’m a few months away from that. If anybody knows of any other balls with tix 200 or less please post! If I can’t go to an inaugural ball..I’ll die..and it would be really pathetic since I’m in DC already!
November 19th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I’ve been to several inaugural balls before. The Westin in DC has a good one. It is reasonably priced and the only one I could find that is ALL-INCLUSIVE (food and alcohol!) It is called the All American Ball.
This a big day in history. I want to be a part of it but I refuse to be out in the cold or be taken advantage of. This Ball is legit. I’ve done my research!
November 20th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Hi Mary,
Just wondering if it was ok to let your readers know my Babyboomer group is offering tickets to our balls and we have 50 hotel rooms available on hold for anyone attending our balls.
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:49 am
Hello,
The Maryland Inaugural Special Committee is hosting an inaugural ball - The President’s Ball, with tickets beginning at $200 each (if purchased before 12/31. The price includes food and open bar. Visit the site for more details: http://www.PresidentsBall.com
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I just found a great ball with great entertainment. It includes food and drinks. Its at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel on Jan. 20th. They are actually having 2 balls. One with music for the younger crowd and one with legendary music and artists. I’m headed there! Ticket prices are very reasonable. Can’t wait to party in DC for the next EIGHT years. Check out this website for tickets. http://www.friendsofdionne.org
December 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hi,
I am a student at NoVA and a group of us worked for GOTV– and there’s a ball at Embassy Suites on Jan 20th. Tix cost $150 includes reception and seated dinner, music and dancing til 1:00 p.m. A bunch of us are going there. Check out the website amarevents.net
December 26th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
You are cordially invited to attend
The Inaugural DC Ball
http://www.DCBall2009.com
January 20, 2009 - 8 PM to 12 Midnight
To Commemorate
The Inauguration of America’s 44th President
President Barack Obama
At The Old Post Office Pavilion
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004
http://www.oldpostofficedc.com
Starring DC’s Godfather of Go-Go
“Chuck Brown”
Tickets are $150 and include:
Wine, Beer, non alcoholic Beverages, Light Fair, an Inaugural Souvenir and Free admission to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum to take a picture with their famous lifelike Wax Figurine of President Obama in a replica of the Oval Office.
DRESS is “Festive to Fancy”
GETTING TO THE BALL:
Take Metro: The Federal Triangle Metro Station is located across the street from the building
Nearby Parking Garages open at 6:00 PM 1/20/09
To purchase tickets or for more information Visit: http://www.DCBall2009.com
January 5th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Here are two great Inaugural Balls
Blue Diamond Inaugural Ball
http://www.BlueDiamondInauguralBall.com
When: January 20
Where: Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Entertainment: Jackson Browne and Graham Nash
Green Inaugural Ball
http://www.GreenInauguralBall.com
When: January 17th
Where: Mellon Auditorium, Washington, DC
Entertainment: Wyclef Jean
January 14th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I am looking foward to also attending the American Music Ball at the Marriott Wardman Park
Great entertainment! Also Urban Ball at same hotel
January 17th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
HBC Presidential Inaugural Ball
1) What is The HBC Inaugural Ball?
The HBC (Historic Black Colleges) is a black tie invited ball hosted by Billy Franks, and Fifth Column Entertainment on Inauguration Day, January 20th, 2009. The ball celebrates the swearing in of the newly elected President and Vice President of the United States. Inauguration Day is a holiday in the District of Columbia. Most Balls are invite only and excludes the public. Campaign Volunteers and the People of America are welcome to attend. Come celebrate Washington, DC’s most glamorous tradition with HBCs the Washington, DC community. Our youth ball will start around 11 AM and conclude at 5 PM. The adult event will officially begin at eight o’clock in the evening and end before 2 AM.
2) Who is invited to the HBC Inaugural Ball?
Every American, Alumni, Staff and Students and Supporters of HBCs, members of the media, and Obama Campaign Volunteers are invited.
3) What does “Black Tie Invited” mean?
Guests are invited to wear formal evening attire, but are not required to do so. Tuxedo or dark suits are appropriate for men. Women generally wear cocktail dresses or ball gowns.
4) Where is the HBC Inaugural Ball?
On January 20, 2009, the HBC Inaugural Ball will take place at the ATRIUM at Life Center, 5610 Linda Lane, Camp Springs, MD.
5) What are the food & drinks?
-Hor d’ouvres
-Beverages
Come to our ball. We will be streaming over the internet around the world and will be seen on the ION Network by 70 Millions Americans & 80 Million Europeans. Tickets are cheap and entertainment is abundant. Bring one, bring all; to the HBC INAUGURAL BALL!