Friday, January 20, we celebrate a new day for America as Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence are sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States.
Donald Trump inauguration schedule of events, performers and inaugural balls
Here's the schedule for events that will usher Trump to the White House:
Wreath-laying ceremony, Jan. 19
Arlington National Cemetery
Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will lay a wreath at the cemetery in honor of the nation's veterans. Details have not been publicly announced
"Make America Great Again!" welcome celebration, Jan. 19
Ceremony will be held at the Lincoln Memorial
This event will feature "a diverse group of performers" in a concert followed by comments from Trump and Pence. Tickets are required for special viewing areas. Further details have not been publicly announced.
Inaugural Gala, Jan. 19
The country performers Big & Rich plus Cowboy Troy will headline an Inauguration Gala presented by the Great America Alliance, a superPAC that supported Donald Trump's campaign. Celebrity cameos announced so far include former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, actor and conservative commentator Jon Voight, "conservative star Sheriff David Clarke" and Dr. Dorothy Woods. It's not clear if Trump or Pence will be present.
Inauguration ceremonies, Jan. 20
Ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, U.S. Capitol Building
Trump and Pence will be sworn in on the west front of the Capitol . Their families and members of Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, diplomatic corps and other invited guests will be seated on the ceremony platform. Amid tight security and frigid weather, the best seat is likely going to be your couch. The event will be televised and streamed live online, including here on UPI.com.
Security will be tight, with all viewing areas near the event requiring tickets – 250,000 of them – and a security screening beginning when gates open at 6 a.m. Here's what inauguration ticket-holders are prohibited from bringing: aerosols, alcohol, firearms, ammunition, animals (except service animals), backpacks, roller bags, suitcases, bags larger than 12"x14"x5", balloons, balls, banners, signs, placards, bicycles, non-ADA chairs, coolers, drones, explosives of any kind, glass, thermal and metal containers, knives or other sharp objects of any length including pocketknives, laser lights and laser pointers, mace or pepper spray, noisemakers like drums or bullhorns, packages, poles and selfie-sticks, spray containers, strollers, structures, supports for signs or placards, toy guns, tripods, umbrellas, weapons of any kind and "any other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners."
People who arrive without tickets – an estimated 500,000 are expected – will be able to view the event from the National Mall behind the ticketed areas.
Music begins at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. Performers scheduled so far are America's Got Talent winner and platinum-selling singer Jackie Evancho, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Radio City Rockettes (who also performed at George W. Bush's inauguration ceremonies) and the Missouri State University Chorale.
Opening remarks begin at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. Religious leaders who will give readings, benedictions and invocations include New York Archbishop Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Pastor Paula White of New Destiny Christian Center, Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Rev. Franklin Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of Great Faith Ministries International.
Inaugural Parade, Jan. 20
Begins at the conclusion of the inauguration
Trump and Pence will make their way from the Capitol to the White House down Pennsylvania Avenue as part of a parade that includes high school and college bands; police posse, motorcycle and cavalry units; veterans and active members of the military; and the Boy Scouts of America, among others.
Inaugural Balls
Three official inaugural balls are planned featuring appearances by Trump, including one being dubbed the Big Apple Ball in Washington but with New York-themes dominating under Trump's personal direction, according to TMZ. Details are still developing.
Here's a list of other, unofficial balls:
Deploraball, 7 p.m. Jan. 20 A $250 per plate event that takes eponymous pride in Trump nemesis Hillary Clinton's claim that half of his supporters are "deplorables" is no joke, though there's a lot of snark and sarcasm inherent in this event and its promotion. The reception begins at 7 p.m. at the Bolger Center in Bethesda, Md., just outside Washington, with a silent auction to benefit veterans and event host Gays for Trump, followed by dinner and dancing at 8 p.m. This event has publicly illuminated growing fractures among Trump's most fervent supporters among the so-called "alt-right" who helped create the ball via a social media group known as MAGA-3X. Organizers who hoped for an inclusive "big-tent" event have butted heads with event co-founder Tim Treadstone, who has posted homophobic and anti-semitic remarks via @BakedAlaska on Twitter. Milo Yiannopoulos, a Briton who works as an editor for Breitbart News known for acerbic commentary on and off Twitter where he was recently banned, reportedly is scheduled as a guest of honor.
Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala, Jan. 17: Showcasing citizen diplomats in peace across world peace efforts. $150-$250
Bluegrass Ball:, Jan. 18: Sponsored by the Kentucky Society of Washington with a focus on promoting Kentucky bourbons. $300-$350
Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball, Jan. 19: Sponsored by the Texas State Society of Washington, D.C. $275
Deplorables Inaugural Ball, Jan. 19: "The Deplorables Nation is invited to celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence at the largest party of the Presidential Inaugural Season." General Admission, $500; VIP, $1,000; VIP Table of 10, $10,000.
All American Inaugural Ball, Jan. 19: A {link:tribute to everyday: "
http://www.allamericanball.com/" target="_blank" American heroes. $150-350
Garden State Inaugural Gala, Jan. 19: Sponsored by the New Jersey State Society, it features a Bruce Springsteen tribute band called the B-Street Band.
2017 Inaugural Heartland Ball, Jan. 19: Highlights the sights, sounds, and cuisine of Illinois. $275
South Carolina Presidential Inaugural Ball, Jan. 19: South Carolina State Society hosts an event at the Smithsonian as part of its mission to link South Carolinians to the nation's capital.
The Vettys Inaugural Ball and Awards, Jan. 20: The Hay-Adams, 800 16th St NW, Washington, DC. The event is hosted by the Coalition to Salute American Heroes, Military Order of the Purple Heart and Disabled American Veterans with Paralyzed Veterans of America as a non-partisan celebration. $350-$1,250
Inauguration Day at the Newseum, Jan. 20: An all-inclusive "Presidential Inauguration Celebration Experience" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Newseum, located on the inaugural parade route on historic Pennsylvania Avenue. $350-$500
Native Nations Inaugural Ball, Jan. 20: This event launches a campaign to build the National Native American Veterans Memorial.
Dardanella: The Great Gatsby Presidential Inaugural Ball, Jan. 20: National Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art Museum hosts "a non-political political event!" offering a step back in history with an orchestra, vintage paper moon photo sets and more. $150-$450
Salute to Heroes/Veterans Inaugural Ball, Jan. 20: American Legion and Veterans Inaugural Committee host a tribute to America's Medal of Honor recipients and Trump. Drew Carey emcees with performances by Rascal Flatts' vocalist Gary LeVox, and songwriters Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley. $300
Washingtonian Inaugural Ball, Jan. 20: The Washingtonian hosts a nonpartisan dinner and ball. $275-$350
