The 10 official inaugural balls
So what exactly are the 10 “official” inaugural balls under the aegis of the Presidential Inaugural Committee? They include five regional balls that encompass most of the U.S. states and territories, a pair of balls honoring the home states of the president-elect and vice president-elect, one for D.C. residents and one for members of the military.
But the cool kids will no doubt be kicking it at the Washington Hilton for the hottest ball of all: the Youth Inaugural Ball, recognizing the contributions of the 18- to 35-year-old crowd -- and which will be broadcast on MTV starting at 7 p.m. Pacific time. Ready for the most Facebook photo-tagged, Twittered and live-blogged black-tie bash in history? Gentlemen (and ladies), upgrade your servers.
What follows is a list of the official 10.
Obama Home States Inaugural Ball
Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
For: Friends, families and local supporters from Hawaii and Illinois and guests
Biden Home States Inaugural Ball
Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
For: Friends, families and local supporters from Delaware and Pennsylvania, and guests
Commander-in-Chief’s Ball
Venue: National Building Museum
For: Enlisted active duty and reserve military
Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
For: District of Columbia residents and guests
Youth Inaugural Ball
Venue: Washington Hilton
For: Young Americans ages 18 to 35
Five Regional Balls
Eastern States Inaugural Ball
Venue: Union Station
For: Residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont (with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico thrown in for good measure) and guests
Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball
Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
For: Residents of the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia -- along with Democrats Abroad and guests
Midwest Inaugural Ball
Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
For: Residents of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin, and guests
Southern Inaugural Ball
Venue: National Guard Armory
For: Residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, and guests
Western Inaugural Ball
Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
For: Residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Washington Wyoming, Guam and American Samoa
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.