Inaugural Ball Tickets

No one in America can turn on cable TV or watch a news show without seeing either a commercial from or coverage on the Presidential Race. While it seems like the candidate door knocking and phone calls will never end, before we know it the election will be over. When January 20th rolls around a new president will be sworn in and it will be time to celebrate with inaugural balls, some of the premiere events for Washington, DC society.

Inaugural balls are a perfect reason for citizens across the country to come to Washington, dress to the nines and celebrate the incoming president after the formal coronation and inaugural parade. There will be a plethora of balls to attend, probably over 40. The man of the hour will make an appearance at only a few - most likely the official balls.

The inaugural balls werent always as grand, as you can imagine. George Washington held the first, where he danced two cotillions and a minuet. James Madison held the first "official" ball at Longs Hotel in 1809, with wife Dolly turning into more of a spectacle than any first lady before her.

The balls continued through the years, with some presidents facing major problems - such as below-zero temperatures that killed the caged canaries. Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt skipped the balls, but when Harry Truman brought the event back it paved the way for the major galas that occur today. While Truman only had one, Dwight Eisenhower had two, John F. Kennedy had five, and Ronald Regan made it up to 10.

The balls normally include terrific entertainment and an assortment of food, depending on the venue. Not to mention and opportunity to brush elbows with Washington society - and a new president!