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Historic inauguration sparks deluge of requests for tickets, lodging
It seems as if everyone on Earth wants to come to Obama's inauguration.
Are you planning to attend or participate in the inaugural festivities? If so, please contact The Free Lance-Star newsroom.
Own a piece of history
Date published: 11/12/2008
By William Douglas WASHINGTON — Barack Obama didn't measure the White House drapes before being elected president — as Republican rival John McCain accused him of doing — but Ron Walters' family effectively did. Weeks before Election Day, Walters began fielding calls from relatives who were looking for beds, couches, floors or any other sleeping space available in his suburban Washington home in anticipation of Obama being sworn in as the nation's first African-American president on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20. "I had 23 relatives call us to try to get space in this home, and that's going on everywhere around here," said Walters, a University of Maryland political science professor. "We're trying to figure out how to buy all the futons and where to put them. But we'll be one big happy family. This is going to be a big celebration." It seems as if everyone on Earth wants to come to Obama's inauguration, especially African-Americans. There are about 90,000 hotel rooms in the Washington area and only a few are still available, for a price. Prices start around $400 a night, and for most there's a four-night minimum. One unidentified celebrant paid $1 million to book an entire 300-room Marriott. Hotels as far away as Richmond, Va. — 100 miles south — and Baltimore — 40 miles north — are raising their rates and getting bookings. "It's going to be like the Million Man March," said author A'Lelia Bundles, a Washingtonian and descendant of Madam C.J., one of the nation's first black female millionaires. "People are excited. It's almost like emancipation and Jubilee." As many as 1.5 million people may come for Obama inaugural festivities, according to officials at Destination DC, the District of Columbia's official convention and tourism corporation. By comparison, President Bush's inaugurations each drew about 300,000 people, according to Rebecca Pawlowski, a Destination DC spokeswoman. The Secret Service, which is in charge of inauguration security, declined to say what it's anticipating in terms of crowds or how it intends to deal with it. "We understand the historical nature of the event and we're responding accordingly," said Malcolm Wiley, a Secret Service spokesman.
Date published: 11/12/2008
4 years ago
(posted by
ProudAFWife
, Nov. 12, 2008 2:35 pm)
President Bush had an inaugural ball just for military families. My husband and I attended. If President-elect Obama has the same type of event, I would love to attend. There is something special about once in a lifetime opportunities like that.
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