Plans are being finalized for Michigan to be part of the Inaugural Celebration, now just a week away. The Michigan Congressional delegation has been working together with Michigan Democratic elected officials and the Michigan Democratic Party since the election of President-Elect Obama to ensure that Michigan residents planning to travel to Washington are able to partake in this historic event and that activities being planned are as inclusive as they have ever been but also reflective of the current times.


The following is a summary of current plans:

Sunday, January 18th

President-elect Obama will kick-off the official Washington inaugural activities in Washington, D.C. with a “We are One” opening ceremony concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at 2:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Monday, January 19th

Open House

All Members of the Congressional Delegation, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Lt. Governor John Cherry will host an Open House for residents of Michigan and members of the DC Michigan community in the Montpelier Room of the Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue, SE from 9:00 am to noon. Attendance is free.  Hot chocolate, coffee and tea will be served.  This bi-partisan event is open to everyone at no cost and gives everyone an opportunity to mingle and celebrate.

Community Service

In 1994, to further commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday into a national day of community service. 20,000 projects are planned around the country including Michigan. To honor Dr. King’s legacy, the President-elect and Vice-President-elect and their families will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, DC area.

Michigan will be part of the community service observation in two ways.  Events at the grassroots level in Michigan are being organized across Michigan over the next few weeks answering President-elect Obama's call to service.  In addition, Michiganians will participate in community service projects on Monday in Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, January 20

Swearing-In Ceremony

The President-elect and Vice-President-Elect and their families will participate in the traditional Inaugural ceremonies and events. For the first time ever, the length of the entire National Mall will be open to those wishing to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Michigan Congressional offices have heard from tens of thousands of individuals wanting to participate. The Congressional delegation has worked to ensure that complete information is available on how to view the ceremony from the Mall and to communicate security and transportation information. Security will be very tight for this day and Washington is being closed off to vehicle traffic for a several mile radius. Bridges into the city are also being closed.

The Michigan delegation wants to ensure that all Michigan residents feel part of this special moment and have the information they require.

Parade

The 56th Inaugural Parade will make its way down the Pennsylvania Ave from the Capitol to the White House with groups traveling from all over the country to participate. Michigan will be well represented by two groups- the Wyandotte Marching Band of Roosevelt High School from Wyandotte and Michigan’s Multi-Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color Guard led by Eaton County Sheriff Mike Raines.

The Parade is free and open to all.

Michigan Inaugural Dinner Dance 2009

Michigan will continue the tradition of an Inaugural Dinner Dance and will celebrate the 56th Presidential Inauguration with a black-tie optional event at the National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center, from 7:30 p.m. until midnight. The event will be scaled back from previous years but will still be an unforgettable evening.

The entertainment will be extraordinary. Several Michigan bands are reducing or donating their fees to ensure the success of the evening.  These include Mel Ball and Colours and the Simone Vitale Band.  Mel Ball and Colours is regarded as one of the finest vocal instrumental groups in the country and was voted the #1 Best Band by the readers of Crain’s Detroit Business; Michigan Meetings and Events (2007 & 2008) and Style Magazine.  The Simone Vitale Band is one of the hottest bands in the Midwest. These fourteen piece bundles of excitement and talent have an enormous selection of musical material as well as great musicians and vocalists to wow any crowd. Also performing will be the Henry Ford Big Band and the Jackson Black History Tour Group. There may be surprise entertainment as well.

This is not an official ball and the new President and Vice-President are not able to attend because of their schedule with official balls. However, as in past years, the Michigan Congressional delegation works hard to have members of the new cabinet as well as other dignitaries and celebrities come by.

Ticket costs for the event are $200 per person and can be purchased by calling 703-288-8696 or online at Michigan@hayespr.com

Making this night possible are the Presenting Hosts: the Dow Chemical Company, the Dow Corning Corporation, and Dow Agro Sciences.  Other members of the Michigan community are part of the host committee and we are very grateful to all of them. The auto companies were not solicited nor are they part of the host committee.

Official Ball

President-elect Barack Obama will host a Youth Inaugural Ball, five Regional Inaugural balls, and a ball for his Home States – Illinois and Hawaii.  Vice President-elect Joe Biden will host a ball for his Home States as well: Delaware and Pennsylvania. These balls round out the list of official inaugural balls to be held on Tuesday, January 20, along with the previously announced Neighborhood Inaugural Ball and Commander in Chief’s Ball.  The President-elect and the Vice President-elect will appear at each of the ten inaugural balls.

Michigan will be part of the Midwest Regional Presidential Inaugural Committee Ball at the Convention Center. The Midwest Ball includes Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Tickets are invitation only from the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Other Information

Visitors during the Inaugural always find this a very special time. Congressional offices work hard to ensure that those attending have access to all Washington, DC has to offer but at the same time get very practical advice about what it will be like traveling around during these days.

Sources for more detailed information include:

The 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee                                      www.pic2009.org

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural                                     inaugural.senate.gov

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