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Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

'Youth Ball' Added To Inaugural Bash

Halle Berry, Samuel L. Jackson Among Big Private Donors

POSTED: 10:04 am CST January 6, 2009
UPDATED: 10:48 am CST January 6, 2009

President-elect Barack Obama is adding a "Youth Ball" to the parties planned to celebrate his Jan. 20 inauguration.

And his inaugural committee said Tuesday that, despite the economic hard times, private donations are pouring in to help cover the costs of the citywide bash: The committee has raised at least $27 million. At least 378 gave the maximum $50,000, including actors Halle Berry and Samuel L. Jackson, Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg, director Steven Spielberg and entertainer Barbra Streisand.

The inaugural committee said the "Youth Ball" for people aged 18 to 35 would celebrate "the role young Americans can play to serve their communities." Tickets will be available for a reduced price of $75. Most inaugural ball tickets are $150.

The committee also announced regional inaugural balls for guests from the Midwest, West, East, South and Mid-Atlantic regions of the country, as well as balls for guests from Obama's home states of Illinois and Hawaii and Vice President-elect Joe Biden's home states of Delaware and Pennsylvania.

"This is America's inaugural celebration in every way," presidential inaugural committee executive director Emmett S. Beliveau said in a statement. "Young people are more engaged in this country's future than ever before and we want to harness that excitement by inviting them to participate in this historic occasion. In that same vein, we are hosting events to bring people from all walks of life and from across the country."

The committee said there will be a total of 10 inaugural balls:

  • Youth Inaugural Ball -- Washington Hilton
  • Obama Home States Inaugural Ball -- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • The Biden Home States Inaugural Ball -- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • The Eastern Inaugural Ball -- Union Station
  • Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball -- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Midwest Inaugural Ball -- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Southern Inaugural Ball -- National Guard Armory
  • Western Inaugural Ball -- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Neighborhood Inaugural Ball -- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball -- National Building Museum


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