President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence
The inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump features a long list of official and
semi-official events and celebrations.
There will be plenty of protests and counter-rallies as well,
with a list of some available here.
The inauguration has been notable
for the number of big-name performers who have turned down invitations to take
part in official events, including Andrea Bocelli, Garth Brooks and Celine Dion.
Just days from the inauguration citing a need to unite, 57-year-old singer Marie Osmond said she would be willing to perform.
The only confirmed performers for the main event are America's
Got Talent contest
winner Jackie Evancho,
the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Radio City Rockettes, though members
of the choir and
Rockettes have either quit
or refused to take part.
Trump's inauguration is estimated to cost $175-$200 million, in line with past inaugurations plus the cost of inflation.
Corporate and private donors will supply $70 million and taxpayers will pay the
rest. The actual swearing-in ceremony will cost just over $1 million. Just over
half of the entire cost will pay for inaugural security and cleanup.
Here's the schedule for events that will usher Trump to the
White House:
Wreath-laying
ceremony, Jan. 19
Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will lay a wreath at the cemetery in
honor of the nation's veterans. Details have not been publicly announced.
"Make America Great
Again!" welcome celebration, Jan. 19
Ceremony will be held at the Lincoln
Memorial
This event will feature "a diverse group of
performers" in a concert followed by comments from Trump and Pence.
Tickets are required for special viewing areas. Further details have not been
publicly announced.
Inaugural Gala,
Jan. 19
The country performers Big & Rich plus Cowboy Troy will
headline an Inauguration Gala presented by the Great America Alliance, a
superPAC that supported Donald Trump's campaign. Celebrity cameos announced so far include former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani,
actor and conservative commentator Jon Voight,
"conservative star Sheriff David Clarke" and Dr. Dorothy Woods. It's
not clear if Trump or Pence will be present.
Inauguration
ceremonies, Jan. 20
Ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m.
Eastern, U.S. Capitol Building
Trump and Pence will be sworn in on the west front of the
Capitol . Their families and members of Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court,
diplomatic corps and other invited guests will be seated on the ceremony
platform. Amid tight security and frigid weather, the best seat is likely going
to be your couch. The event will be televised and streamed live online,
including here on UPI.com.
Security will be tight, with all viewing areas near the event
requiring tickets – 250,000 of them – and a security screening beginning when
gates open at 6 a.m. Here's what inauguration ticket-holders are prohibited
from bringing: aerosols, alcohol, firearms, ammunition, animals (except service
animals), backpacks, roller bags, suitcases, bags larger than
12"x14"x5", balloons, balls, banners, signs, placards, bicycles,
non-ADA chairs, coolers, drones, explosives of any kind, glass, thermal and
metal containers, knives or other sharp objects of any length including
pocketknives, laser lights and laser pointers, mace or pepper spray,
noisemakers like drums or bullhorns, packages, poles and selfie-sticks, spray
containers, strollers, structures, supports for signs or placards, toy guns,
tripods, umbrellas, weapons of any kind and "any other items that may pose
a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of
the security screeners."
People who arrive without tickets – an estimated 500,000 are
expected – will be able to view the event from the National Mall behind the
ticketed areas.
Music begins at
9:30 a.m. Eastern. Performers scheduled so far are America's
Got Talent winner and
platinum-selling singer Jackie Evancho, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Radio
City Rockettes (who also performed at George W. Bush's
inauguration ceremonies) and the Missouri State University Chorale.
Opening remarks begin at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. Religious leaders
who will give readings, benedictions and invocations include New York
Archbishop Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Pastor Paula White of New
Destiny Christian Center, Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Rev. Franklin Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Bishop
Wayne T. Jackson of Great Faith Ministries International.
Inaugural Parade,
Jan. 20
Begins at the conclusion of the
inauguration
Trump and Pence will make their way from the Capitol to the
White House down Pennsylvania Avenue as part of a parade that includes high
school and college bands; police posse, motorcycle and cavalry units; veterans
and active members of the military; and the Boy Scouts of America, among
others.
Inaugural Balls
Three official inaugural balls are planned featuring appearances
by Trump, including one being dubbed the
Big Apple Ball in Washington but with New York-themes dominating under Trump's
personal direction, according to TMZ. Details are still developing.
Here's a list of other, unofficial balls:
Deploraball, 7 p.m. Jan. 20 A $250 per plate event that takes eponymous
pride in Trump nemesis Hillary Clinton's
claim that half of his supporters are "deplorables" is no joke,
though there's a lot of snark and sarcasm inherent
in this event and its promotion. The reception begins at 7 p.m. at
the Bolger Center in Bethesda, Md., just outside Washington, with a silent
auction to benefit veterans and event host Gays for Trump, followed by dinner
and dancing at 8 p.m. This event has publicly illuminated growing fractures among Trump's most fervent supporters
among the so-called "alt-right" who helped create the ball via a
social media group known as MAGA-3X. Organizers who hoped for an inclusive
"big-tent" event have butted heads with event co-founder Tim
Treadstone, who has posted homophobic and anti-semitic remarks via @BakedAlaska
on Twitter. Milo Yiannopoulos, a Briton who works as an editor for Breitbart
News known for acerbic commentary on and off Twitter where he was recently
banned, reportedly is scheduled as a guest of honor.
Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala, Jan. 17: Showcasing
citizen diplomats in
peace across world peace efforts. $150-$250
Bluegrass Ball:, Jan. 18: Sponsored by the
Kentucky Society of Washington with a focus on
promoting Kentucky bourbons. $300-$350
Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball, Jan. 19: Sponsored by the Texas State Society of Washington,
D.C. $275
Deplorables Inaugural Ball, Jan. 19:
"The Deplorables Nation is invited to
celebrate the inauguration of
President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence at
the largest party of the Presidential Inaugural Season." General
Admission, $500; VIP, $1,000; VIP Table of 10, $10,000.
All American Inaugural Ball, Jan. 19: A tribute to everyday American heroes. $150-350
Garden State Inaugural Gala, Jan. 19: Sponsored by the New Jersey State Society, it features
a Bruce
Springsteen tribute
band called the B-Street Band.
2017 Inaugural Heartland Ball, Jan. 19: Highlights the sights, sounds, and cuisine of Illinois. $275
South Carolina Presidential Inaugural Ball, Jan. 19:
South Carolina State Society hosts an event at the Smithsonian as part of its
mission to link South Carolinians to the nation's capital.
The Vettys Inaugural Ball and Awards, Jan. 20:
The Hay-Adams, 800 16th St NW, Washington, DC. The event is hosted by the
Coalition to Salute American Heroes, Military Order of the Purple Heart and
Disabled American Veterans with Paralyzed Veterans of America as a
non-partisan celebration. $350-$1,250
Inauguration Day at the Newseum, Jan. 20: An all-inclusive "Presidential Inauguration
Celebration Experience" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Newseum, located on
the inaugural parade route on historic Pennsylvania Avenue. $350-$500
Native Nations Inaugural Ball, Jan. 20:
This event launches a campaign to build the National Native American
Veterans Memorial.
Dardanella: The Great Gatsby Presidential Inaugural Ball, Jan. 20: National
Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art Museum hosts "a
non-political political event!" offering a step back in history with an orchestra, vintage paper moon
photo sets and more. $150-$450
Salute to Heroes/Veterans Inaugural Ball, Jan. 20:
American Legion and Veterans Inaugural Committee host a tribute
to America's Medal of
Honor recipients and Trump. Drew Carey emcees with performances by Rascal
Flatts' vocalist Gary LeVox, and songwriters Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley. $300
Washingtonian Inaugural Ball, Jan. 20:
The Washingtonian hosts a nonpartisan dinner and ball. $275-$350
This schedule will be updated as new
information is available.
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