How to take part in the inauguration weekend
ON FRIDAY, around noon, presidentelect Donald Trump will take the oath of office on the West Lawn of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, to become the 45th president of the United States; vice president-elect Mike Pence will be sworn in before Trump. The occasion marks the country’s 58th presidential inauguration.
Inauguration Day traditionally begins with the president-elect attending a morning worship service, this year at St John’s Episcopal Church, and also includes a procession from the White House to the Capitol, where departing President Barack Obama will accompany Trump to the swearing-in ceremony.
How to Get Tickets
Members of the US Senate and the US House of Representatives for the 115th Congress receive ticket allocations from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Each member’s office manages its own allotment, and the public can contact their members of Congress to request tickets.
How to Participate
Official tickets may be limited, but it’s still possible to take part in the inauguration festivities without one, said Elliott Ferguson, the president and chief executive of Destination DC, the marketing organisation for the city.
Spectators can catch the inauguration proceedings being streamed live from several dozen giant video screens and audio systems around the National Mall in the heart of the district and bordering the Capitol.
Following Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, a presidential procession and inaugural parade will make its way from the Capitol to the White House, and visitors can get a glimpse of the new president from the sidewalks along Pennsylvania Avenue. Ferguson advised that parade attendees arrive early that morning to snag a good viewing spot, dress warmly for the January weather and either bike, walk or rely on the Metro train system to get around. Also, he said the police will have security checkpoints throughout the Mall, and visitors can expect to be stopped to have their bags searched.
Inaugural Balls
The inaugural committee is in charge of two official inaugural balls on January 20, which are open to the public via tickets. There will also be the Salute to Our Armed Services Ball, open to active members of the military. Trump is expected to attend all three. Visit 58pic2017.org for more information and prices.
Severa l unof f icia l ba l ls a re a lso being held and are open to the public via tickets. The Native Nations Inaug ura l Ba l l, which honours Native American veterans, begins at 7pm at the National Museum of the Ameri- can Indian; $750 per ticket.
Some events are taking place on January 19. Several celebrities, including the actor Danny Glover and the writer Alice Walker, are expected to attend the much talked-about 2017 Inaugural Peace Ball: Voices of Hope and Resistance at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, organised by Busboys and Poets, a group of six restaurants in the Washington area. Tickets, however, are sold out.
Hotels
Several hotels around DC are offering themed packages, including:
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has the Inauguration’s a Ball Package from January 17 to 23 at all 10 of its Washington properties. Nightly rates start at $520; four-night minimum stay required. Call 1-800-546-7866 and mention the code BALLER to book.
Rosewood Washington DC has a five-night package, which can start either on Tuesday or Wednesday, and includes a bottle of Champagne and a different turndown gift each night. Nightly rates from $1,395.