D.C. Preps for Inauguration Crowds

With the next president of the United States decided, D.C. is gearing up for the 2009 presidential inauguration, which is expected to have many more spectators than any previous inauguration.

“Due to tremendous interest and enthusiasm, we expect an unprecedented amount of people at the Presidential Inauguration,” Feras Sleiman, communications specialist for D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty’s office, said .

Previously, the largest inauguration to date was Lyndon B. Johnson’s in 1965, when 1.2 million people attended. Organizers expect two to three times as many spectators for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration. The space should be large enough, however, as the Washington Mall has never once been filled to capacity, according to The Washington Post.

Though there are no official estimates of the number of visitors expected, officials are preparing for up to four million spectators.

“Based on the number of phone calls, e-mails and the level of Web traffic we’ve seen, we think it will be very big. It’s like nothing me or my colleagues have seen,” said Rebecca Pawlowski (COL ’99), director of communications for the Washington D.C. Convention and Tourism Corporation.

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will provide 240,000 tickets free of charge to the public. Interested constituents may obtain tickets by contacting their state senators and representatives, according to the congressional newspaper, The Hill.

While only a select few will receive tickets, organizers plan to ensure that all visitors can watch the festivities. The Washington Post reports that an area east of the Washington Monument will be opened up to viewers, a space usually reserved for preparations for the inaugural parade. This additional space will allow a few million additional people to witness Obama’s inauguration. In addition, according to the Washington Post, the National Park Service plans to reduce the seating capacity from 20,000 in 2005 to 8,700 to ensure maximum sidewalk space for parade spectators. Pawlowski said that officials are also considering adding more JumboTrons than in previous years so that spectators can watch the events.

At noon, President-elect Obama will be sworn into office and deliver his inaugural address, as every U.S. president has before him. President Bush and first lady Laura Bush will then leave the Capitol, and the newly-inaugurated president and vice president will attend an inaugural luncheon at the Capitol for invited guests.

The inaugural parade will begin after lunch in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue and will include marching bands, floats and the military. Festivities of the day will conclude with several inaugural balls, to be planned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

For Georgetown students attending the inauguration, Pawlowski advises, “Be patient: Many of these details are still being finalized. Take public transportation or walk/ bike, if you can. It's going to be very crowded. Dress warmly.”

The official D.C. inauguration Web Site also cautions that all parade and event attendees are going to be subject to thorough screenings.

“The U.S. Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Capitol Police and other local and federal agencies are providing an unprecedented level of security for the inauguration,” said the Web Site.

District officials are determined to make sure the inauguration goes off without a glitch.

“The District will coordinate with various agencies, the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the Secret Service to ensure that all the necessary preparations are made for a safe event for all people involved,” said Sleiman.