Inauguration week schedule released

All information is compiled from The Washington Post articles "Expense draws wrath, but not from charities," "U.S. proposes funding plan for inauguration," "Inauguration shutdown of downtown extensive" and "Metro changes and closures on Inauguration day."

The Washington Post published the Inauguration Week schedule in today's Metro section, along with a map detailing road closures and parking restrictions for Jan. 19 and 20.

The oath of office, inaugural parade and official inaugural balls will take place on Jan. 20, precluded by a myriad of events. President Bush will be sworn into office at noon. The parade will begin shortly afterwards at the U.S. Capitol around 2 p.m., continue to its official start at Pennsylvania Avenue and stop at the White House at 5 p.m. The official balls for various states, organizations and territories will begin at 7 p.m. and continue to 1 a.m.

D.C.'s costs for the inauguration are expected to top $17.3 million. The federal government informed Mayor Anthony A. Williams that $11.9 million in security and other costs are eligible for withdrawal from the city's homeland security fund. Traditionally, the federal government drew on a special appropriation fund to reimburse the city's expenses, but this year, the government advised the District to draw on their homeland security grant, according to The Washington Post.

Some of the money will go towards closing down D.C. streets in preparation for the inauguration. Street closures and parking restrictions extend from 2nd Street to 23rd Street east and west of the Capitol, and E Street to K Street south and north of the Capitol throughout the day on Jan. 20. The parade route, Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., will be closed starting 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 for security purposes. The area around the Washington Convention Center will also be off-limits to vehicles.

Approximately 6,000 law enforcement officers and 7,000 U.S. troops will be on duty for the inauguration, led by the U.S. Secret Service and around 60 other federal, state and local agencies.

The Metro will run on extended hours on Inauguration Day from 5 a.m. on Jan. 20 to 3 a.m. on Jan. 21. Metro officials will make available a one-day, unlimited travel rail pass for $6.50 for anyone wishing to spend the day in D.C.

The Smithsonian and Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter stations will be closed until the end of the inaugural parade; the Mount Vernon Square/7th Street Convention Center Station will be closed from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. due to its close proximity to the inaugural balls. The Metro will close all station bathrooms for the entire day. Metro buses will detour to avoid the Mall and parade route; all buses will operate on a Saturday schedule.

Secret Service officials detailed a list of items prohibited from all events. The list includes weapons of any kind, aerosols, umbrellas, supports for signs such as poles or sticks, bicycles, coolers, thermal or glass containers, laser pointers, animals, backpacks, any bags exceeding 8 inches by 6 inches by 4 inches and any other items deemed to pose a threat, according to The Washington Post.

Detailed Inaugural Week schedule:

Tuesday:

• Salute to Those Who Serve – MCI Center from 2 to 4 p.m. Performers include Gloria Estefan and John Michael Montgomery. Tickets: $20-$40.


• Chairman's reception (private) – Mellon Auditorium from 5 to 6 p.m.


• America's Future Rocks Today – D.C. Armory from 6 to 8 p.m. Hosted by Jenna and Barbara Bush. Tickets: $10.

• Chairman's brunch (private) – Mellon Auditorium at 10:30 a.m.


• A Celebration of Freedom – The Ellipse from 4 to 6 p.m. Fireworks, musical acts. Tickets required.


• Candlelight dinners – Union Station, Washington Hilton, National Building Museum from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets $2,500+ each, mostly for President Bush's supporters and donors.

• President attends church service (private) – St. John's Church from 9 to 10 a.m.


• Oath of Office – U.S. Capitol at noon. Various tickets; Jumbotrons on the Mall for public viewing.


• Inaugural parade – U.S. Capitol to Penn. Ave. to White House at 2 p.m. Tickets for bleacher seating: $100, $50 and $15. No tickets required to stand along route.


• Official inaugural balls – 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets: $150 each.


• Stars and Stripes Ball – Convention Center Ballroom. New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania contingents.


• Patriot Ball – Convention Center Hall E. Ohio.


• Texas Wyoming Ball – Convention Center Hall B. Texas and Wyoming.


• Liberty Ball – Convention Center Hall C. Florida.


• Independence Ball – Convention Center Hall A. Colorado, Delaware, the District, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and Washington state.


• Democracy Ball – Convention Center Hall D. Arizona, California, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and Utah.


• Constitution Ball – Washington Hilton Hotel. Arkansas, American Samoa, Connecticut, Georgia, Guam, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, West Virginia and Wisconsin.


• Freedom Ball – Union Station. Alaska, Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan and the Diplomatic Corps.


• Commander-in-Chief Ball – National Building Museum. For military who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and families. Selected by Department of Defense. Free, by invitation only.

• Prayer service – Washington National Cathedral from 10 to 11 a.m. Free; tickets required. Contact inaugural committee or call 202-314-2600.