INAUGURATION 2017 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SHEET*

Swearing in of the 45th President of the USA – Friday, January 20, 2017
The official proceedings of Inauguration Day commence around noon on the West Lawn of the U.S.
Capitol with the vice president-elect and president-elect taking the Oaths of Office, followed by the
inaugural address.
You must have a ticket to attend the swearing-in-ceremony. Tickets are free, but they’re in
high demand and must be applied for through your local representative or senator’s office.
Giant video screens and audio systems will also stream the proceedings to the thousands of spectators
on the National Mall.
Don’t worry if you don’t get tickets to the official ceremony, you can still catch a glimpse of the new
commander in chief. Position yourself along Pennsylvania Avenue to cheer on the presidential
procession and inaugural parade as it makes its way from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. A limited
number of bleacher seats can be reserved through the Presidential Inauguration Committee,
though viewing from the sidewalk is free and unreserved.
Presidential Inaugural Committee
If you want to get above the crowds, the Newseum has designed a 2017 Presidential Inauguration
Celebration Experience that includes panoramic views of the parade as it passes in front of the museum.

Inaugural Balls

There are official and unofficial balls, the difference being that the newly named president and
vice president attend many of the official balls. Members of the public can apply for tickets
to these, including The Inaugural Ball, via the Presidential Inaugural Committee. ***

Alternatively, you can buy a ticket for one of the many unofficial balls directly from the host
venues or organizations. Below are unofficial balls. If a guest is interested in the unofficial
balls, it is recommended that they first contact the host venue or organization directly
via their websites, as there are a variety of options offered. ***

***The Concierge Team will do their utmost to assist guests, but due to nature of these events,
it is advised that the guests have a good idea of the type event they wish to attend and be
prepared to purchase tickets and expect that ticket purchases to be final sale and nonrefundable.

The Concierge Team can assist with transportation needs to Inaugural events and wishes to
advise guests of the following hourly minimums during the Inaugural period January, 18, 19,
and 20, 2016:

There is a 96 hour cancellation policy (non-refundable) on any as-directed service related to the
Inauguration.
Car Service is unable to pick-up from any Inaugural function, service must be as-directed/wait &
return.
Date of Service
Minimum
Hours
Wednesday, January
18, 2017
6 hours asdirected
Thursday, January 19,
2017
8 hours asdirected
Friday, January 20,
2017
10 hours
as-directed
Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala – January 17, 2017. Location and more details to be
announced. The Gala will showcase the role of citizen diplomats in furthering peace across the
world. Tickets: $150-$250.
Bluegrass Ball – January 18, 2017. Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW Washington DC.
Sponsored by the Kentucky Society of Washington. The inaugural celebration will feature an
exclusive Kentucky Bourbon Trail (®) Reception with legendary members of the Kentucky
Distillers’ Association, providing guests with the opportunity to taste a selection of Kentucky
Bourbons and hear firsthand about the history and distilling process of each featured product.
Tickets: $300-350.
Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball – January 19, 2017. Gaylord National Resort, 201 Waterfront
St., National Harbor, MD. Sponsored by the Texas State Society of Washington DC, the
celebration is well known for its Texas-sized pomp and circumstance. Tickets: $275.
Li Gazette 2017 – January 19, 2017. Location and details to be announced. The celebration will
honor the Obama Clinton Bush Bush Carter Reagan and 2017 President-elect highlights with
formal balls and after parties.
Arkansas Inaugural Gala – January 19, 2017. Location and details to be announced. The event
salutes the state of Arkansas and celebrates the inauguration of President. Entertainment will
be presented by Arkansas-based entertainers.
Garden State Inaugural Gala – January 19, 2017. Washington Court Hotel. 525 New Jersey Ave.
NW, Washington DC. Sponsored by the New Jersey State Society. Dance to the live and
legendary Springsteen tribute band, the B-Street Band. Dine in an upscale “Jersey Diner,” and
win extraordinary prizes in our Atlantic City Boardwalk Casino.
2017 Inaugural Heartland Ball – January 19, 2017. Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala –
Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. The celebration will highlight
the sights, sounds, and cuisine of Illinois with multiple open bars, heavy hors d’oeuvres and
buffet stations, live music, dancing, and more. Tickets: $275.
The Vettys Inaugural Ball and Awards – January 20, 2016. The Hay-Adams, 800 16th St NW,
Washington, DC. The event is hosted by the Coalition to Salute American Heroes, Military Order
of the Purple Heart and Disabled American Veterans with Paralyzed Veterans of America as a
non-partisan celebration. Tickets: $350-1250.
South Carolina Presidential Inaugural Ball – January 19, 2017. Smithsonian American Art
Museum and National Portrait Gallery, 8th St NW & F St NW, Washington, DC. The South
Carolina State Society, Inc. of Washington, DC is a nonprofit section organization that connects
South Carolinians in the nation’s Capital and surrounding areas. Tickets will go on sale
November 9, the day after the election.
Inaugural Ball 2017: Celebrating Education in the Digital Age – January 20, 2017. Folger
Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St.SE Washington DC. Sponsored by the National Coalition
for Technology in Education and Training, the black tie affair is hosted by the nation’s
technology and education leaders as they honor the swearing-in of America’s President and
Congress.
Dardanella: The Great Gatsby Presidential Inaugural Ball – January 20, 2017. The Willard
Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington DC. A non-political political event! A chance to
step back to the end of the 1st World War, the Volstead Act (in memoriam), Prohibition,
Women’s Suffrage, and the roaring sights and sounds of the 1920’s.Tickets: $250-$500.
Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball - January 20, 2017. The Renaissance Washington, 999 Ninth St.
NW, Washington, DC. The American Legion and Veterans Inaugural Committee host a tribute to
America’s Medal of Honor recipients. Tickets: $300.
Inauguration Day at the Newseum – January 20, 2017. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Washington, DC. This is a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive Presidential Inauguration Celebration
Experience from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Newseum, an interactive museum of free expression
located steps from the inaugural parade route on historic Pennsylvania Avenue, will offer
guests a front-row seat to history as the 45th president of the United States takes the oath of
office at the U.S. Capitol and leads the inaugural parade past the Newseum to the White House.
Tickets: $350-$500.
Washingtonian Inaugural Ball – January 21, 2017. National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian
American Art Museum. 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC. The Washingtonian Inaugural
Ball is a nonpartisan event including dinner, open bar, live music, dancing, and more. Tickets:
$275-$350.
Many more to be announced

Security, Weather, Getting Around
Presidential inaugurations are a festive experience, though as with any event of this size, being prepared
will make it smoother and more enjoyable. Be sure to check advisories ahead of time and consider the
following:
It is cold in January in Washington, DC. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes.
Thousands of portable toilets are brought into National Mall and in front of Metro Stations for the
event. Bring your own water and snacks or purchase some from hot dogs and pretzel stands. The
Smithsonian museums lining the National Mall also have dining options (and bathrooms); head into
Cascade Café at the National Gallery of Art for espresso coffee and cake or try a buffalo burger inside
the National Museum of the American Indian.
If you’re a ticket holder to any event you will have to pass through security screening. Make sure you
bring photo ID and check the list of prohibited items ahead of time.
If you wish private, chauffeured transportation, please contact our Concierge Team, 202-944-2050.

The concierge team can assist with transportation needs to Inaugural events and wishes to
advise guests of the following hourly minimums during the Inaugural period January, 18, 19, and
20, 2016:

There is a 96 hour cancellation policy (non-refundable) on any as-directed service related to the
Inauguration.

Car Service is unable to pick-up from any Inaugural function, service must be as-directed/wait
& return.
Minimum
Hours
Date of Service
Wednesday, January
18, 2017
6 hours asdirected
Thursday, January 19,
2017
8 hours asdirected
Friday, January 20,
2017
10 hours
as-directed
*–Information last updated November 9, 2017