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Inauguration

Monday, January 21, 2013

Virginia Democrats Take to the Floor at Inaugural Ball [VIDEO]

“Gonzo’s Nose” provided the music and the attendees supplied the choreography.

Dozens of Democrats celebrated the re-election of President Barack Obama Sunday night by dancing the night away at the Virginia Inaugural Ball at the Westin in Ballston. With several rock 'n roll and pop hits played by the band “Gonzo’s Nose,” no one could sit still. Check out some of the moves from the inaugural ball in this video!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

2013 Presidential Inauguration Survival Guide

If you're heading downtown any time this weekend, you'll need to know how to get in, get around and navigate the crowds. Free advice here!

While the crowds may not be as intense as in 2009, when an estimated 1.8 million people came to D.C. for President Barack Obama’s inauguration, there’s still a lot of info you need to know to survive the day. From Metro closures and changes to where to eat and how to stay warm, Patch has you covered. Do you live or work here in Chantilly? Keep up with local news by signing up for our free daily email newsletter here! Transportation Metro – If you're driving to a metro station to take it into town, know that some metro stations will be closed, and some bus routes will be detoured. See our guide to taking Metro this weekend.  Driving – Driving is definitely not recommended. If you’re still thinking about driving downtown, be prepared to sit …

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Presidential Inauguration 2013: Biking to the Inauguration

Bicycles are not allowed at the inauguration itself, but you can still bike into the district, avoid the crowds and get into and out of downtown quickly. Here’s some advice from the pros.

There's a way to get to the inauguration without worrying about Metro, traffic or parking—take your bike. "Bikes are, by far, the easiest and quickest way into and out of the Mall for the inauguration," said Mark Blacknell, of the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee and author of Clarendon Cycles on Patch. Alan Young, of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (and a Burke Patch Local Voices contributor), agreed. Biking to the presidential inauguration downtown is  “one of the easiest ways to get in and out there is,” Young said. He biked into the inauguration in 2009 with his sister and nephew. Routes Into the District from Virginia “Only the heartiest will ride from Fairfax City and beyond,” Young said, but he also suggested people …

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

PHOTOS: Presidential Inaugurations Through the Years

Ahead of President Barack Obama's 2013 inauguration Jan. 21, we rounded up historic photos showing presidential oaths of office past.

President Barack Obama's second inauguration ceremony and celebration Jan. 21 is a far cry from the inauguration of our first president, George Washington. That ceremony was held April 30, 1789 at Federal Hall in New York City, where the federal government was headquartered at the time. Later inaugurations were held in Philadelphia when the federal government moved there. It was there at Washington's second inauguration that he made the shortest inauguration speech on record—133 words and less than two minutes long.  One thing all presidential inauguration swearing-in ceremonies have in common, though, are these words: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States and will, to the best…

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Presidential Inauguration 2013: Official and Unofficial Balls

If you haven't been invited to an official ball, there are plenty of other inaugural balls you can attend.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are expected to attend just two official inaugural balls—the Commander-In-Chief’s Ball for members of the U.S. military and the Inaugural Ball. Both official balls are at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The ticketing period for both events has closed. But, if you still want to get dressed up and dance the night away, there are a number of “unofficial” Inaugural Balls—ones that are sponsored by state parties or societies, non-profit organizations or other groups. While there won’t be a presidential visit, they can be a lot of fun. The Virginia Inaugural Ball is sponsored by the Democratic Party of Virginia and the Arlington County Democratic Committee. It …

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