How do you get to the Inauguration Ceremony? How long do you have to sit in the cold? Long enough for your toes to freeze (the weather has actually been rather mild so perhaps January 20 will follow suit)! The swearing-in takes place just before noon but the formal program begins at 11:30 a.m. and the musical prelude and seating will begin much earlier. According to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inauguration Activities (JCCIA), security checkpoints will open for ticketed guests at 8:00 a.m., and the committee advises arriving no later than 9:00 a.m. to ensure that you are through the checkpoints by the time the program begins. Screening will end when the program begins at 11:30 a.m. and late arrivals will not be able to enter the grounds. Security isn't goin g to make exceptions either so, just plan on getting there early.
Getting to the Swearing-In
The following recommendations come straight from the JCCIA's press release: The District of Columbia's inaugural website will have the most up-to-date information on road closures and other travel alerts. Bookmark http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp, and check it frequently for changing information.
Following are recommendations made by the JCCIA regarding how to get to the swearing-in ceremony:
- For those people who will be staying within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol, walk. Be sure to carefully plan your return trip as well - it won't be possible to cross the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route, except at designated points and Metro will be extremely crowded.
- While bicycles will be prohibited within the security perimeter on January 20, 2009, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is working on a plan with city officials to have bike valet stations available outside the security perimeter near the swearing-in ceremonies and parade route. More information is available at: http://www.waba.org/index.php.
- Beyond 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol. Use public transportation to get you as close as possible to the U.S. Capitol and walk from there. Metro is expecting Crush Level crowds. Metro escalators will be closed so expect to climb some stairs.
- The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) plans to run Metrobuses on Inauguration Day. Check its website, www.wmata.com, for information regarding routes and schedules.
- AMTRAK www.amtrak.com, and regional commuter trains, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) www.vre.org and MARC (Maryland) Commuter Train www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/ will be operating reserved trains on special schedules and are expected to sell out well in advance of January 20. Please visit their websites for more information.
Do not bring umbrellas or strollers. They will not be permitted in the ticketed areas. Other items to leave at home: Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated), Explosives of any kind (including fireworks), Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length), Mace and/or pepper spray, Sticks or poles, Pockets or hand tools, such as "Leatherman", Packages, Backpacks, Large bags, Duffel bags, Suitcases, Thermoses, Coolers, Laser pointers, Signs, Posters, Animals (other than service animals), and Alcoholic beverages.
