If half a million people show up, the infrastructure should be okay, except for major issues such as transportation and dining near the mall.  But if a couple million people converge on the Mall, the infrastructure, along with the food service industries will be pushed to their limits.

So here’s a few of the potential “disasters” that might occur due to massive crowds attending the inauguration celebration, and my estimation of how likely it will happen.

1. Multiple hour waits to get on Metro trains leaving the National Mall — With crowds expected to run at least five times more than a typical July Fourth event, it’s likely that Metro will be overwhelmed, even with 15 hours of consecutive rush-hour scheduling. Likelihood – very high.
2. Mobile phone service will cease — Due to overwhelmed cell towers around the Mall, especially during the hours just before and after the ceremony, the cellular carriers will likely not be able to handle all of the call traffic.  Considering at times all over the Washington, DC area, especially during rush hour, it can be sometimes tough getting a call through, so don’t expect to place a call phone call on the first attempt 3 minutes before Obama takes his oath.  Likelihood – medium/high.
3. Chartered busses might not find parking – With upwards of 10,000 chartered busses potentially bringing people to the inauguration, where are they all to park? So far, potential places include Wolf Trap, JFK Stadium, Hanes Point, and more so parking should not be an issue. Likelihood – low.
4. Getting people from chartered busses at remote parking areas to the National Mall — Getting upwards of a half a million people to the Mall and then back again quickly will be an issue. So see #1. Likelihood – high.
5. Grocery stores will run out of staples – With a million-plus people who are not staying in hotels looking for items such as as bread and milk, grocers may run out quickly.  While the hint of a snowfall in the area causes some people to rush out and hoard 200 rolls of toilet paper and 40 gallons of milk, I doubt that retailers will miss the opportunity to stock up and make big bucks form our out of town visitors. Likelihood – very low.
6. Parking at Metro rail station will not accommodate all the cars — With only 60,000 parking spaces spread out over 42 stations, if you don’t get to the Metro very, VERY early, chances are you won’t get a parking spot. Again, see #1. Likelihood – very high.
7. Getting a meal on the Mall will require an act of Congress — You should be able to find plenty of hot dog vendors around the Mall on inauguration day. But if you want to wait out the exit rush after the ceremony, at a restaurant anywhere near the Mall, expect a multi-hour wait. Likelihood – high.
8. Restroom facilities will be tough to find – DC does a great job at having enough porta-potties at most major events in the Mall, so this shouldn’t be an issue. Likelihood – low.
9. Finding a taxi to get to or from the Mall – With all the expected street closures, security checkpoints, rerouted traffic patterns, and the massive crowds all heading to the same place, finding a cab (or for that matter, a cabbie willing to bring his cab anywhere near the expected gridlock on Mall that day) is unlikely. Likelihood – medium.
10. People will simply grin and bear it — In the crowd that descends on Washington, DC, there will be some complainers who expect a seat on the Metro train, a table at a restaurant just blocks from the Capitol, parking garages to have open spots an hour before the inauguration ceremony and no hassles getting to and from the Mall.  But I hope people will just expect the worst and smile when things go well.  Likelihood – high.

So what do you think?  Will Washington, DC handle the crowds or will it be a tourism nightmare?  Make a comment below.

Image – Flickr – 2005 inauguration

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Post from: The DC Traveler

If you are not inside the security perimeter, these rules will most likely not apply.

Note that strollers and chairs are on the list, so ATTENTION PARENTS with small children and people who may need to sit during the long wait.

Prohibited items at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration include, but are not limited to:

• Strollers
• Chairs
• Backpacks, large bags, duffel bags, suitcases
• Thermoses or coolers
• Signs or posters
• Firearms, ammo, explosives, fireworks, knives, blades, mace, pepper spray, or any other weapon or sharp objects (of any length)
• Umbrellas
• Laser pointers
• Animals (other than service animals)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Other items that may pose a security threat

So it looks as if people lucky enough to get inauguration tickets will be required to stand, leave small children at home or carry them, and only pack a small bag.

This list might actually lesson the number of people who attend the inauguration.  And as always, this list is subject to change.

The West Lawn of the Capitol grounds will open at 8:00 a.m.. with the event starting around 11:30 a.m. 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

One might make the perfect last minute stocking suffer.

• The most expensive inauguration package I found was the Omni Shoreham Hotel’s staggering $440,000 Commander-in-Chief package. Located near the near the National Zoo, it includes a $44,000 jewelry shopping extravaganza, and a private in-room dinner with a performance by well-known political satirist, Mark Russell.  Get to and from Washington, DC on the hotel-provided private jet and, just like the Obama’s, select a puppy of your choice as a memento of your trip. After the inauguration, play the diplomat and get whisked off for a 5-day first-class trip to St. Petersburg, Russia.
• Try the 14-room suite at the Mandarin Oriental overlooking the city and the National Mall for a paltry $200,000. It includes a chauffeur-driven Maserati.
• The ritzy Ritz Carlton Washington in Georgetown has a $150,000 package that includes private jet travel, personal butler and massage therapist and tickets to an inaugural ball.  Leave for home with a full set of Louis Vuitton luggage as well.
• The Georgetown Ritz Carlton offers a $99,000 package that includes first-class travel and a stay at the Ritz in the Grand Cayman Islands, as after all that pampering, I guess people need to relax a bit.
• The lovely Fairmont Hotel in the West End on M Street offers not so fat cats a lower priced  package in an exclusive suite. For $10,000, it comes with a chauffeured Rolls-Royce and two Secret Service-like body guards.  I wonder if they will talk into their wrists and give the guests special code names.

Many of the presidential inauguration hotel packages include other perks, such as lots of Dom Perignon and Beluga caviar, spa treatments, high-end shopping trips, tickets to the inaugural balls, limo service, designer clothing and jewelry, butler service, special dinners, designer luggage set and more….but only if you act fast and have a Fat Cat’s budget. 
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Post from: The DC Traveler

I’ve seem estimates ranging from about a million to over 5 million.

So what do you think?  Take the latest poll and tell us…

How many people will attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009?

• Less than 500,000
• 500,000 to 1 million
• 1 to 2 million
• 2 to 3 million
• 3 to 4 million
• 4 to 5 million
• over 5 million

For some historical references:

• In 1965, the inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson, drew the largest inaugural crowd, estimated at 1.2 million.
• In 2005, for the inauguration of President George W. Bush’s second term, crowds were estimated at 400,000, a hundred thousand more than his first inauguration in 2001.

• Approximately 250,000 gathered at the U.S. Capitol for Bill Clinton’s second term inauguration, a significantly smaller number than his first term about 800,000 people attended in 1993.
• George H. Bush Sr.’s inauguration in 1989 drew about 300,000.
• John Kennedy’s inauguration, a day snow fell in DC, drew an estimated 1 million in 1961.
• A small crowd attended the second Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration in 1865 (see photo above).

Image – Lincoln

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Post from: The DC Traveler

It seems like the initial thought was that since Inauguration Day is a work holiday for Federal workers in DC, and parts of Virginia and Maryland, Metro would charge the lower off-peak fare.

But I suspect Metro financial troubles has caused Metro officials to rethink (and I believe correctly), to charge peak rates all day on Inauguration Day.   The higher fares are based on a high price it will cost to keep Metro running with lots of overtime being scheduled for Metro employees.

Metro will be charging standard peak rates all day long. But Metro is also offering a one-day unlimited use pass for just $7.80 if purchased in advance at Metro vending machines or sales offices. The passes cost $10 if ordered online and at Metro stations on January 20th.

And check out my published letter regarding Metro fares in the today’s Sunday Washington Post. 

Image – from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti

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Post from: The DC Traveler

A little over a week ago, I posted a new poll on the The DC Traveler, regarding if people thought that the city should allow bars and restaurants to remain open until 5:00 a.m. during inauguration week.

The votes so far…

• 23% – No, it’s a horrible idea.
• 27% – Yes, let people party longer.
• 50% – If people can’t get drunk by 2:00 a.m., another 3 hours won’t help them.

Sounds like a resounding…NO!!  But the poll will remain up for a little while longer, in case you haven’t yet voted.

But the DC City Council changed their mind, based on local pressure and even some pressure form Congress and modified the legislation. Now, places that serve alcohol will be allowed to remain open until 4:00 a.m., not the 5:00 a.m. initially allowed under the emergency legislation.

Plus, bars will need to register and pay a fee to the city in order to stay open (restaurants and bars – $100 per night, nightclubs – $250 for each night). Dining establishment can remain open 24-hours as well.

Metro has not announced any plans to extend operating hours beyond the normal hours to accommodate late night partiers.

Image – Flickr – clock

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Here’s the second part of the listings of official and unofficial Inaugural Balls in Washington, DC, that will be celebrating the inauguration of the 44th President of the United State, Barak Obama.

Here’s the list for January 20, 2009 Inaugural Balls, the first list of inaugural balls, (on January 19), was posted on The DC Traveler, yesterday. Click here to link to the other post.

Again, the availability of tickets may change daily.  Even if inaugural balls are sold out, waiting list or returned tickets may be available.

• American Indian Inaugural Ball   
  Hyatt Regency Crystal City
  2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
  Arlington, VA 22202
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 -7:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $110
• The George Washington University Inaugural Ball
  Omni Shoreham Hotel
  2500 Calvert Street, NW at Connecticut Ave.
  Washington, DC 20008
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $100 (SOLD OUT)
• Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball
  Mandarin Oriental Hotel
  1330 Maryland Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC 20024
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $200 (SOLD OUT) 
• New Jersey Inaugural Ball
  Washington Court Hotel
  525 New Jersey Ave., NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $100
• Pennsylvania State Society Inaugural Gala   
  Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC
  1150 22nd Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20037
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $150
• State Society of Arizona Inaugural Ball   
  Historical Society of Washington, DC
  1307 New Hampshire Ave NW
  Washington, DC 20036
  Date & Time – January 20, 2009, 9:00 p.m.
  Tickets: $175, $300 per couple

Images – Flickr – sign, ball gown
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Post from: The DC Traveler

So many, that I am splitting up the information I have been able to find into two post, one for January 19, 2009 Inaugural Balls, the second (tomorrow) for Inaugural Balls on January 20th.

Ticket availability changes by the day.  Some ball tickets will be available online from the inaugural ball committee.  Other inaugural balls are sold out, but check the ball sites as they may have a waiting list or returned tickets.  To find tickets to sold out balls, check with reputable ticket brokers and sites such as Craigslist for tickets.  But be careful of scalpers and con-artists selling fake inaugural ball tickets.

Most balls are formal black tie events, with live music and dancing.

Let’s start with what is expected to be the most attended balls, the most expensive and one that we have to assume President Obama will spend more time at than any other ball, the ball of his home state, the Illinois Inaugural Gala.

• The Illinois Inaugural Gala  
  Renaissance Washington DC
  999 9th Street, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009, 5:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $500 dinner, reception and gala ball, $400 ball only

There’s another group of official inaugural balls, that include the Commander-in-Chief Ball, Constitution Ball, Democracy Ball, Freedom Ball, Independence Ball, Liberty Ball, Patriot Ball, Stars and Stripes Ball, and the Texas Wyoming Ball.

Here’s a list of some of the unofficial state society balls.

• Arkansas State Society Inaugural Gala
  Washington Court Hotel
  525 New Jersey Ave, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets – e-mail or call C. Glen Mahone at 202-329-6711 or C.Glenn.Mahone@aerojet.com
• Pearl Presidential Inaugural Gala
  Mandarin Oriental Hotel
  1330 Maryland Ave., SW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
  Tickets- $250 (SOLD OUT)
• North Carolina Society Inaugural Ball
  Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
  2660 Woodley Road, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 – 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets – $150
• Kentucky Society Bluegrass Ball   
  Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
  2660 Woodley Rd, NW
  Washington, DC
  Date & Time – January 19, 2009 – 6:30 p.m.
  Tickets – $191

Images – band, Obama
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Post from: The DC Traveler

Will  you be attending the Inauguration on January 20th in Washington DC?

Here’s the results:

• Yes, wouldn’t miss it!! – 32%
• No,  I’ll watch it on TV. – 32%
• Planning on it, but still working on details – 18%
• I’m going to Disneyland, no crowds that day – 18%

So it looks like a good number of people who voted (50%), have plans to attend President-elect Obama’s Inauguration on January 20, 2009.

And here’s the new poll…. and in

Should Washington, DC officials allow restaurants, bars and night clubs to extend hours and serve alcohol until 5 a.m. during Inauguration Week?

For some background, the DC City Council approved emergency legislation (proposed by the local Restaurant Association of) to allow restaurants, bars and nightclubs to serve alcohol until 5:00 a.m. for the four days leading up to Inauguration Day.

Normally, establishments serving alcohol in Washington, DC must close at 2:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 3:00 a.m. on weekends.

The reports imply that the city council feels that extended drinking hours would encourage people to safely celebrate indoors, versus taking to the streets to celebrate.

Yet two U.S. senators (Diane Feinstein, CA-D, and Bob Bennett, UT-R) sent a letter to the city council and Mayor Fenty asking them to reverse the legislation. The DC police union also has reportedly been lukewarm on the concept, stating that the police will be stretched thin enough without bars and clubs remaining open an additional couple hours.

The Metro subway system will still close weekdays from midnight to 5:00 a.m., and between 3:00 and 7:00 a.m. on weekends, except on Inauguration Day, when it will run from 4:00 a.m. Monday until to 2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

So what do you think? Will keeping bars open three hours later add to party atmosphere, and keep the streets safer?  Or will it have the opposite effect by reducing police protection citywide and increase the number of drunk drivers, fights and arrests in DC?

Cast your vote below and to the right —>

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Post from: The DC Traveler

• Morning Worship Service, a tradition started in 1933 by Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Motorcade Procession to the Capitol, where President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will accompany the President-elect Barack Obama and his wife and Michelle to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.
• The Vice President’s Swearing-In Ceremony happens before the President is sworn into office on the steps of the US Capitol.
• The new President’s Swearing-In Ceremony follows and has occurred 54 times, for 43 presidents, in 10 different locations.
• Immediately after the Swearing-In Ceremony, the Inaugural Address is delivered by the new president.  The shortest was by George Washington, just 135 words. The longest Inaugural Address was by President William Harrison, who delivered the longest address, at 8,445 words.  It is suspected that the bitter cold and rain of that day contributed to his death from pneumonia, just a month later.
• Departure of the Outgoing President follows the inaugural ceremony on the front of the U.S. Capitol.
• The tradition of the Inaugural Luncheon began in 1953. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hosts a luncheon for the new President, VP and dignitaries.at the U.S. Capitol.
• Inaugural Parade then concludes the public events, running down Pennsylvania Avenue, from the Capitol Building to Lafayette Square in front of the White House. The parade become so large, that it is now limited to 15,000 participants. 
• The last events of the inauguration are the many Inaugural Balls.

I’ll write about specifics on each of the public events as the date gets closer and details are made public.  Stay tuned to The DC Traveler for more information on the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.

Images – Flickr – no parking sign; President Reagan and Inaugural ball – public domain ____________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler