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Inauguration Information

2009 Inauguration Information
If you are planning to attend the Presidential Inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2009, there are a few things you should know ahead of time. All of the tickets to the inauguration ceremony that were made available to Fifth District residents have now been distributed by random lottery. Accordingly, inauguration tickets are no longer available through our office. We will continue to update our website with information regarding opportunities to view the Swearing-In ceremony from public areas that do not require a ticket, as soon as it becomes available. 
If you are attending the inauguration, you should plan on taking public transportation, or walking to and from the event. It is anticipated that this will be the most widely attended inauguration in history, and it is important to take the following steps as recommended by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

When to Arrive

Arrive early for required security screening and anticipate large crowds.  Gates to the Inaugural Ceremony open at 9 a.m. and the musical prelude begins at 10 a.m.  Be prepared to pass through several security screenings before reaching the section indicated on your ticket.  There will be no check room for prohibited items.

Because of road closures and restricted access around the U.S. Capitol, ticket holders should use Metro.

Security

All ticket holders are required to pass through security screening, including handbag inspection.

Inside the Event

Movement will be difficult inside the security perimeter.  Please be prepared to stay within the perimeter and within your ticketed section for the duration of the festivities.

Prohibited Items

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
  • Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated)
  • Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
  • Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)
  • Mace and/or pepper spray
  • Sticks or poles
  • Pockets or hand tools, such as “Leatherman”
  • Packages
  • Backpacks
  • Large bags
  • Duffel bags
  • Suitcases
  • Thermoses
  • Coolers
  • Strollers
  • Umbrellas
  • Laser pointers
  • Signs
  • Posters
  • Animals (other than service animals)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners
Inaugural Parade
The Inaugural Parade, which takes place after the Swearing-In Ceremony, will be open to the public and does not require tickets.
Inaugural Balls
Inaugural Balls will be coordinated by the Presidential Inauguration Committee. Click HERE for more information.
Beware Of Inaugural Ticket Scams
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies released the following information regarding tickets for the 56th Presidential Inaugural Ceremony on January 20, 2009:
Tickets to the 56th Inaugural Ceremonies will be provided free of charge and distributed through Members of the 111th Congress. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies does not provide tickets to the public.
The public should also be aware that no website or other ticket outlet actually has Inaugural Swearing-In tickets to sell, regardless of what they may claim. Tickets will not be distributed to Congressional offices until the week before the inauguration and will require in-person pick-up.
“Any website or ticket broker claiming that they have inaugural tickets is simply not telling the truth,” said Howard Gantman, Staff Director for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. “Tickets for the Swearing-In of President-elect are all provided through members of Congress, and the President-elect and Vice President-elect through the Presidential Inaugural Committee. We urge the public to view any offers of tickets for sale with great skepticism.”
Access to the U.S. Capitol
The U.S. Capitol will be closed to the public from 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2009, until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.  Public tours will resume on Wednesday, January 21, 2009.