With a slate of activities and events ranging from impressive inaugural balls and Saturday's National Day of Service, to the official swearing-in Sunday of President Barack Obama and his public inauguration Monday on the steps of the U. S. Capital that will be follolwed with a festive parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, there's plenty over this three-day weekend to keep the nation's capital abuzz as droves of special guests and spectators gather to witness history.
President Obama will take the oath of office for his second term at 11:55 a.m. on Sunday in the Blue Room of the White House. The commander-in-chief will then participate in the public traditional swearing-in ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Monday.
This year's inaugural celebration will be low-key compared to 2009, when more than 1 million people were in D.C. to witness Obama take the oath of office. At that time, 10 official inaugural balls were held. However, just three official balls are being held this time around, and a crowd of between 600,000 and 800,000 people are expected to attend the 57th inauguration, where Beyonce will perform the National Anthem.
Here's a list of events:
Saturday, Jan. 19
Kids' Inaugural Concert, Washington Convention Center, 6 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 20
Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Official Swearing-In, Naval Observatory, 8:15 a.m.
President Barack Obama's Official Swearing-In, White House — Blue Room, 11:55 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 21
Ceremonial Swearing-In Ceremony, Capitol West Front, 11:30 a.m.
Musical Selections: U.S. Marine Band, PS 22, Staten Island, N.Y., and Lee University Festival Choir, Cleveland, Tenn.
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y.
Invocation: Myrlie Evers-Williams
Musical Selection: Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Oath of Office Administered to Biden: Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Musical Selection: James Taylor
Oath of Office Administered to Obama: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.
Inaugural Address: President Barack Obama
Musical Selection: Kelly Clarkson
Poem: Richard Blanco
Benediction: To Be Announced
The National Anthem: Beyoncé
Inaugural Luncheon, Statuary Hall, immediately following swearing-in ceremony
Inaugural Parade, Viewing stands and bleachers are along Pennsylvania Avenue; estimated start time: 2:35 p.m.
The Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball, Washington Convention Center; doors open at 6 p.m.
The Inaugural Ball, Washington Convention Center; Halls A, B and C — doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Halls D and E — doors open at 7 p.m.
