9 Balls to Mark Bush Inauguration

President-elect George Bush and Vice President-elect Dan Quayle will celebrate their Jan. 20 swearing-in with at least nine inaugural balls, inaugural officials said Thursday.

In addition, the days just before and after Inauguration Day will see a variety of pageants, dinners, receptions, festivals, celebrations, children’s events and a prayer service, the officials said.

The American Bicentennial Presidential Inaugural, Bush’s inaugural committee, released a tentative list of official activities listing nine inaugural balls on the night of Jan. 20, when Bush and Quayle take their oaths of office.

The inaugural balls will be held at three Washington hotels and at the city’s Convention Center, the recently refurbished Union Station, the ornate Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and at the National Air and Space Museum. There also will be a Young Americans Ball at the D.C. Armory.

Festivities will begin Jan. 18 with an opening celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, an American Presidential Pageant through Saturday and an Inaugural Dinner at Union Station.

A salute to Barbara Bush, a reception for Quayle and the Inaugural Gala at the Convention Center are scheduled for Jan. 19.

Inaugural events are tentatively set to close with a national day of prayer and thanksgiving service at the Washington Cathedral. Officials said additional activities may be added.