INFO: 2009 Presidential Inauguration Fact Sheet
January 9, 2009
Q. Will the public be allowed to camp out on the Mall during the Inauguration?
A. It is against the law to camp out (sleeping bags, tents, or other erected structure on National Park Service (NPS) property. That property includes the National Mall and the sidewalks of Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol and the White House, as well as the Ellipse, Lafayette Square, Rock Creek Park and the C&O Canal.
If the general public or visitors to the area are interested in camping (literally meaning pitching a tent, sleeping in sleeping bags, etc.) the National Park Service operates Greenbelt Park in suburban Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park, in the Catoctin Mountains in Carroll and Frederick counties, in Maryland, and Prince William Forest Park, in Prince William County, Virginia, all of which afford visitors locations for camping.
For more information about these campsites, please visit the following websites:
Greenbelt Park
Catoctin Mountain Park
Prince William Forest Park
Q. When will the security perimeter be activated and what area will it encompass? Where will the checkpoints be and when will they open?
A. We do not have this information yet. The Secret Service will make this determination in concert with the Presidential Inauguration Committee and has assured us that we will be notified of the boundaries of the security perimeter, when it will be activated and the opening hours for the checkpoints as soon as these decisions have been made.
Q. Will the Government be open on Inauguration Day?
A. No. DC and federal government offices will be closed January 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King holiday and January 20 in observance of Inauguration Day.
Q. Will D.C. Public Schools be open on Inauguration Day?
A. No. D.C. Public Schools will be closed January 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King holiday and January 20 in observance of Inauguration Day.
Q. Will DC Public Library be open on Inauguration Day?
A. No. D.C. Public Library will be closed January 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King holiday and January 20 in observance of Inauguration Day.
Q. How can I receive emergency information during the Inauguration?
A. To receive emergency text alerts about transportation, weather, and other hazards, sign up for Alert DC(https://textalert.ema.dc.gov).
Q. What are the average temperatures for the Inauguration?
A. According to the National Weather Service, the normal high temperature during the Inauguration is in the low- to mid-40’s and the normal low temperatures is in the mid to upper 20’s.
Q. Will any of the Metro parking lots be unavailable to private motorist on January 20, 2009?
A. Yes. On Inauguration Day, there will be Metro employee parking only at the Minnesota Avenue Metrorail station.
Q. What are the hours of operation for the MetroAccess service?
A. MetroAccess will operate identical hours to Metrorail and Metrobus over the Inauguration Weekend and through Inauguration Day.
Q. What schedule will Metrobus operate on January 20th?
A. Metrobus will operate on a “modified” Saturday schedule. Please visit Metro for detailed information.
Q. Will any Metrorail stations be closed on January 20th?
A. The U.S. Secret Service has deemed the Inauguration as a special national security event and due to security measures, the Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter Metrorail station on Metro's Green and Yellow Lines and the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange Lines, will be closed all day on Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20.
Q. Will parking be free at Metrorail operated lots?
A. Parking will be free at all Metrorail operated lots from Saturday, January 17 through Monday, January 19, 2009. On Tuesday, January 20, Metro will charge $4 (cash only) at all Metrorail parking facilities.
Q. What are the hours of operation for Metrorail on January 20th?
A. Metrorail will operate rush hour service for 17 consecutive hours (4 a.m. to 9 p.m.), will stay open for two extra hours (until 2 a.m.), charge $4 for parking at its facilities and will be one important transportation alternative for people who are planning to attend the Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
Q. How do I sign up to volunteer for the Inauguration?
A. Serve DC - The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism is currently recruiting volunteers for a variety of roles for the Inauguration. Please fill out the “Volunteer for Inauguration” registration form at: Serve DC Volunteers MUST be available to attend ONE orientation on Saturday, January 10th or Sunday, January 11th. Please call (202) 727-7925 with further questions.
Q. What considerations are being made for persons with disabilities?
A. All entrances to the ceremony are accessible. Signs will be posted in all areas to indicate:
Recorded Voice Information 202-224-1500
Recorded TTY Information 202-228-1612
Congressional Special Services
Staff of the Congressional Special Services Office will be stationed at all designated accessible seating/standing areas to provide assistance. Designated seating and standing areas:
“Drop-off” Locations
All areas around the Capitol will be restricted to vehicular access on January 20, 2009. If you need to drop-off someone, as close to the ceremony as possible, please follow the directions of the Capitol Police. There will be locations outside the perimeter of the Capitol that will be designated at a later date.
Tickets
Every person wishing admittance to the Inaugural Ceremony, including children, must have a ticket. Individuals without valid tickets will not be admitted.
Tickets are color-coded to facilitate entrance to the ceremony. Entrance will be granted only at the gate indicated on your ticket. Ticket holders should use Metro.
Each person must have a ticket, including personal assistants.
Sign Language Interpreters, Open Captioning
Sign Language Interpreters will be located at designated positions within each ticketed section, with the exception of the Mall Standing Area. There will be jumbo-trons (large television screen) with open captioning positioned on the Capitol Plaza (blue, red, green, and yellow ticket holders) and within the Mall Standing Area.
Q. Are children allowed to attend the Swearing-In and parade?
A. Yes. However, there are no childcare facilities provided to attendees. Due to increased security and space constraints, strollers are not permitted on the Capitol grounds. Direct questions regarding the admittance of items required for child care to the U.S. Capitol Police at 202-512-1226.
The Swearing-in Ceremony is an outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Inauguration day is typically cold—normally 37° F at noon—and occasionally wet.
Extra consideration should be taken when planning to bring infants, young children, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system. A vast majority of attendees will be in standing room sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours.
Q. What items are prohibited for the Inaugural events?
A. The US Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department, US Capitol Police, and other local and federal agencies are providing an unprecedented level of security for the Inauguration.
Q. If I don’t have a ticket, can I still go to the Swearing-in Ceremony?
A. Yes. The National Mall will be open starting at 4th St. to view the Swearing-In Ceremony via Jumbotrons.
Q. What is the schedule for official events for the Inauguration?
A. Note: All tickets will be sold and released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (www.pic2009.org).
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Inaugural Kick Off
Time: TBD
Location: Lincoln Memorial
(The Kick Off is free and open to the public)
Monday, January 19, 2009
National Day of Community Service Event
Time: All Day
Location: RFK and various locations throughout the District
Concert for America's Children
Time: evening
Location: Verizon Center
(The Concert will be free, but tickets will be required. Visit www.pic2009.org for details)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Swearing-In Ceremony
Time: 11:30 am
Location: US Capitol
2009 Inaugural Parade
Time: Approx. 2:30 pm
Location: Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Commander-in-Chief's Ball
Location: National Building Museum
(This event is by invitation only. Those invited will include wounded warriors (Purple Heart Recipients), families of fallen heroes, and spouses of deployed military)
Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(A portion of the tickets will be reserved for DC residents. Visit www.pic2009.org for further details.)
Youth Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Hilton
(Young Americans age 18 - 35; $75.00)
Obama Home States Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Illinois and Hawaii invited guests; $150.00)
Biden Home States Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Delaware and Pennsylvania invited guests; $150.00)
Eastern Inaugural Ball
Location: Union Station
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands invited guests;$150.00)
Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia invited guests; $150.00)
Midwest Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Kansas, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Missouri invited guests; $150.00)
Southern Inaugural Ball
Location: DC Armory
(Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas invited guests; $150.00)
Western Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma, Guam/AS invited guests; $150.00)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
National Prayer Service
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
A. It is against the law to camp out (sleeping bags, tents, or other erected structure on National Park Service (NPS) property. That property includes the National Mall and the sidewalks of Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol and the White House, as well as the Ellipse, Lafayette Square, Rock Creek Park and the C&O Canal.
If the general public or visitors to the area are interested in camping (literally meaning pitching a tent, sleeping in sleeping bags, etc.) the National Park Service operates Greenbelt Park in suburban Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park, in the Catoctin Mountains in Carroll and Frederick counties, in Maryland, and Prince William Forest Park, in Prince William County, Virginia, all of which afford visitors locations for camping.
For more information about these campsites, please visit the following websites:
Greenbelt Park
Catoctin Mountain Park
Prince William Forest Park
Q. When will the security perimeter be activated and what area will it encompass? Where will the checkpoints be and when will they open?
A. We do not have this information yet. The Secret Service will make this determination in concert with the Presidential Inauguration Committee and has assured us that we will be notified of the boundaries of the security perimeter, when it will be activated and the opening hours for the checkpoints as soon as these decisions have been made.
Q. Will the Government be open on Inauguration Day?
A. No. DC and federal government offices will be closed January 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King holiday and January 20 in observance of Inauguration Day.
Q. Will D.C. Public Schools be open on Inauguration Day?
A. No. D.C. Public Schools will be closed January 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King holiday and January 20 in observance of Inauguration Day.
Q. Will DC Public Library be open on Inauguration Day?
A. No. D.C. Public Library will be closed January 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King holiday and January 20 in observance of Inauguration Day.
Q. How can I receive emergency information during the Inauguration?
A. To receive emergency text alerts about transportation, weather, and other hazards, sign up for Alert DC(https://textalert.ema.dc.gov).
Q. What are the average temperatures for the Inauguration?
A. According to the National Weather Service, the normal high temperature during the Inauguration is in the low- to mid-40’s and the normal low temperatures is in the mid to upper 20’s.
Q. Will any of the Metro parking lots be unavailable to private motorist on January 20, 2009?
A. Yes. On Inauguration Day, there will be Metro employee parking only at the Minnesota Avenue Metrorail station.
Q. What are the hours of operation for the MetroAccess service?
A. MetroAccess will operate identical hours to Metrorail and Metrobus over the Inauguration Weekend and through Inauguration Day.
Q. What schedule will Metrobus operate on January 20th?
A. Metrobus will operate on a “modified” Saturday schedule. Please visit Metro for detailed information.
Q. Will any Metrorail stations be closed on January 20th?
A. The U.S. Secret Service has deemed the Inauguration as a special national security event and due to security measures, the Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter Metrorail station on Metro's Green and Yellow Lines and the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange Lines, will be closed all day on Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20.
Q. Will parking be free at Metrorail operated lots?
A. Parking will be free at all Metrorail operated lots from Saturday, January 17 through Monday, January 19, 2009. On Tuesday, January 20, Metro will charge $4 (cash only) at all Metrorail parking facilities.
Q. What are the hours of operation for Metrorail on January 20th?
A. Metrorail will operate rush hour service for 17 consecutive hours (4 a.m. to 9 p.m.), will stay open for two extra hours (until 2 a.m.), charge $4 for parking at its facilities and will be one important transportation alternative for people who are planning to attend the Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
Q. How do I sign up to volunteer for the Inauguration?
A. Serve DC - The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism is currently recruiting volunteers for a variety of roles for the Inauguration. Please fill out the “Volunteer for Inauguration” registration form at: Serve DC Volunteers MUST be available to attend ONE orientation on Saturday, January 10th or Sunday, January 11th. Please call (202) 727-7925 with further questions.
Q. What considerations are being made for persons with disabilities?
A. All entrances to the ceremony are accessible. Signs will be posted in all areas to indicate:
- Designated accessible areas
- Sign language interpreter locations
- Restrooms
Recorded Voice Information 202-224-1500
Recorded TTY Information 202-228-1612
Congressional Special Services
Staff of the Congressional Special Services Office will be stationed at all designated accessible seating/standing areas to provide assistance. Designated seating and standing areas:
- North Seating Area - Senate Side
- South Seating Area - House Side
- West Standing Area - Senate Side
- West Standing Area - House Side
“Drop-off” Locations
All areas around the Capitol will be restricted to vehicular access on January 20, 2009. If you need to drop-off someone, as close to the ceremony as possible, please follow the directions of the Capitol Police. There will be locations outside the perimeter of the Capitol that will be designated at a later date.
Tickets
Every person wishing admittance to the Inaugural Ceremony, including children, must have a ticket. Individuals without valid tickets will not be admitted.
Tickets are color-coded to facilitate entrance to the ceremony. Entrance will be granted only at the gate indicated on your ticket. Ticket holders should use Metro.
Each person must have a ticket, including personal assistants.
Sign Language Interpreters, Open Captioning
Sign Language Interpreters will be located at designated positions within each ticketed section, with the exception of the Mall Standing Area. There will be jumbo-trons (large television screen) with open captioning positioned on the Capitol Plaza (blue, red, green, and yellow ticket holders) and within the Mall Standing Area.
Q. Are children allowed to attend the Swearing-In and parade?
A. Yes. However, there are no childcare facilities provided to attendees. Due to increased security and space constraints, strollers are not permitted on the Capitol grounds. Direct questions regarding the admittance of items required for child care to the U.S. Capitol Police at 202-512-1226.
The Swearing-in Ceremony is an outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Inauguration day is typically cold—normally 37° F at noon—and occasionally wet.
Extra consideration should be taken when planning to bring infants, young children, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system. A vast majority of attendees will be in standing room sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours.
Q. What items are prohibited for the Inaugural events?
A. The US Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department, US Capitol Police, and other local and federal agencies are providing an unprecedented level of security for the Inauguration.
- All parade and event attendees are subject to a thorough security screening before entering any of the Inaugural event sites.
- Please allow for additional time for this security screening.
- firearms (either real or simulated)
- ammunition
- explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
- knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)
- mace and/or pepper spray
- sticks or poles
- pocket or hand tools, such as "leatherman"
- packages
- backpacks
- large bags
- duffle bags
- suitcases
- weapons of any kind
- aerosols
- supports for signs and placards
- packages
- coolers
- thermoses, thermal or glass containers
- strollers
- umbrellas
- bags exceeding size restrictions (8”x6”x4”)
- laser pointers
- animals other than helper/guide dogs
- structures
- bicycles
- signs and posters
- animals (other than service animals)
- alcoholic beverages
- other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners
Q. If I don’t have a ticket, can I still go to the Swearing-in Ceremony?
A. Yes. The National Mall will be open starting at 4th St. to view the Swearing-In Ceremony via Jumbotrons.
Q. What is the schedule for official events for the Inauguration?
A. Note: All tickets will be sold and released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (www.pic2009.org).
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Inaugural Kick Off
Time: TBD
Location: Lincoln Memorial
(The Kick Off is free and open to the public)
Monday, January 19, 2009
National Day of Community Service Event
Time: All Day
Location: RFK and various locations throughout the District
Concert for America's Children
Time: evening
Location: Verizon Center
(The Concert will be free, but tickets will be required. Visit www.pic2009.org for details)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Swearing-In Ceremony
Time: 11:30 am
Location: US Capitol
2009 Inaugural Parade
Time: Approx. 2:30 pm
Location: Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Commander-in-Chief's Ball
Location: National Building Museum
(This event is by invitation only. Those invited will include wounded warriors (Purple Heart Recipients), families of fallen heroes, and spouses of deployed military)
Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(A portion of the tickets will be reserved for DC residents. Visit www.pic2009.org for further details.)
Youth Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Hilton
(Young Americans age 18 - 35; $75.00)
Obama Home States Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Illinois and Hawaii invited guests; $150.00)
Biden Home States Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Delaware and Pennsylvania invited guests; $150.00)
Eastern Inaugural Ball
Location: Union Station
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands invited guests;$150.00)
Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia invited guests; $150.00)
Midwest Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Kansas, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Missouri invited guests; $150.00)
Southern Inaugural Ball
Location: DC Armory
(Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas invited guests; $150.00)
Western Inaugural Ball
Location: Washington Convention Center
(Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma, Guam/AS invited guests; $150.00)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
National Prayer Service
Time: TBD
Location: TBD