Obama’s Official Inaugural Balls (Finally!) Announced

With the inauguration just two weeks away, it's about time the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced the official inaugural balls.

In addition to the already-on-the-books Commander-in-Chief Ball and Neighborhood Ball, the PIC announced earlier this morning that Barack Obama will be host a Youth Inaugural Ball, five regional inaugural balls, and balls for his home states, Illinois and Hawaii. Joe Biden will host balls for his home states, Delaware and Pennsylvania, as well. This rounds out the list of ten official balls taking place this year.

The Youth Ball, geared toward those ages 18 to 35, will be held at the Washington Hilton; tickets will be $75. For twice the price—$150 a ticket—Obama's and Biden's home-state balls will be held at the Washington Convention Center.

The regional balls will be held at locations throughout the city. Here are the details:

• The Eastern Inaugural Ball, for guests from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, will take place at Union Station.
• The Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball, for guests from Maryland, Virginia, DC, New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia, will take place at the Washington Convention Center.
• The Midwest Inaugural Ball, for guests from Kansas, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Missouri, will be held at the Washington Convention Center.
• The Southern Inaugural Ball, for guests from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, will be held at the National Guard Armory.
• The Western Inaugural Ball, for guests from Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma, and Guam, will be held at the Washington Convention Center.

All of the official balls will take place on the evening of Inauguration Day, January 20. These are the only parties that both the president and vice president are guaranteed to attend. No word yet on whether the duo will make an appearance at any of the unofficial events.

Looking to get in on the glitz and glam of inauguration night? Check out our list of events, balls, and galas happening around town to celebrate the new president.

>> All Washingtonian.com inauguration coverage

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