2009 INAUGURAL TICKETS -- IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Barack Obama will take the oath of office as our 44th President on January 20th, 2009 at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Estimates indicate that up to 4 million people will be in Washington, D.C. to participate in this historic event, and every effort is being made to accommodate visitors to the nation's capital during this exciting period.
Public viewing areas with large video screens have been established along the National Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument grounds (see map below). The area immediately in front of the Capitol West Front will be secured, and each House and Senate office will be given a limited number of tickets for close-in viewing of the Inauguration ceremony. Rep. Dicks' office has already received requests for many more tickets than we will have available for this area, and Inaugural visitors at this point are encouraged to plan to participate in the event from the area designated for general public viewing.
[image of the mall / click to enlarge]
In addition to the event at the Capitol, the Inaugural Parade will take place between the Capitol and the White House along Pennsylvania Avenue following the new President's Inauguration. Tickets for the Parade and for the Inaugural Balls later that evening are being distributed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Please visit the organization's web site for further information:
http://www.pic2009.org/
Those visiting Washington DC during Inauguration Week may be interested to know that the Washington State Society will be hosting an Inaugural Reception on Sunday, January 18th. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit:
http://www.washingtonstatesociety.org/. ADVISORY
With such a large number of visitors in Washington for the events, visitors should be aware of the severe travel and transportation challenges they may face. Many roads and bridges leading into the Mall area and the Capitol will be closed that day, and parking will not be available within the downtown D.C. area. Travel by bus or via the Capital's METRO subway system is strongly encouraged—however, it may be extremely crowded and difficult throughout the day on January 20th. Be sure to visit http://www.wmata.com/ for maps and details about utilizing public transportation in Washington.
In addition, the weather on January 20th in Washington can be extremely cold--often wet and occasionally snowy. Inaugural participants can expect to be outside for more than 5 hours and everyone should be prepared for adverse conditions. Various personal items, including umbrellas, will not be permitted within the security perimeter (i.e. where tickets are required). Other prohibited items include, but may not be limited to:
- Strollers
- Backpacks
- 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
- Pocket or hand tools, such as “Leatherman”
- Packages, Large bags and Suitcases
Thermos Bottles or Coolers
- Laser pointers
Signs and Posters
Animals (other than service animals)
- Alcoholic beverages
- And other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners
CAUTION REGARDING TICKETS
Inaugural visitors should be aware that no web site or other ticket outlet is authorized to distribute tickets to the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. If you have previously requested tickets to the secured area at the Capitol West Front you will be notified in early January of the status of your request. For those receiving tickets, you should be advised that they cannot be mailed: they must be picked up in person at Congressman Dicks' Washington D.C. office (2467 Rayburn House Office Building) on January 19th between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Any tickets not collected by 5:00 PM will be offered to the next pending request. Tickets may only be picked up by the individual requesting tickets upon presenting photo ID.
Any additional questions should be directed to Congressman Dicks' Washington D.C. office at (202) 225-5916, or by emailing Norm.
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