Luncheon
Often featuring cuisine reflecting the home states of the new President and Vice President, as well as the theme of the Inauguration, the Luncheon program includes speeches, gift presentations from the JCCIC, and toasts to the new administration. While this tradition dates as far back as 1897, when the Senate Committee on Arrangements first gave a luncheon for President McKinley and several other guests at the U.S. Capitol, it did not begin in its current form until 1953.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20080915215119im_/http://inaugural.senate.gov/images/photo-luncheon-2005-saa-012005-28465-0068-rh-m.jpg)
U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms
Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol prepared for the 2005 Inaugural luncheon.