Washington is getting ready for President Barack Obama's inauguration later this month with dozens of official and unofficial events. Following the trend of past administrations, events for the second-term inaugural will be smaller than those from the first term. Here's a look back at highlights from the 2009 festivities.
Neighborhood Ball
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greeted the crowd at the Neighborhood Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where Beyoncé sang "At Last" for the couple's first dance.
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball
The Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball took over the National Building Museum. Hargrove, working for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, produced the event.
Photo: Courtesy of Hargrove/Mike Busada Photography
BET's Inaugural Ball
Sylvia Weinstock’s five-foot-high chocolate cake, iced in red, white, and blue buttercream, created a sweet focal point at BET's inaugural ball in the grand ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental. Events by André Wells produced the event.
Photo: BizBash
Google Inaugural Event
At Google's inaugural event, giant plastic igloos from Inflate created unconventional seating areas. The 2,000-person bash at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium was designed internally by Google. FormDecor Furniture Rental provided furniture rentals.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball
At the Texas Black Tie & Boots Ball, Kilgore College Rangerettes lined the entryway at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.
Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball
In the V.I.P. Maryland ballroom at the Texas Black Tie & Boots Ball, miniature cowboy-boot centerpieces held Texas's signature yellow rose.
Alice Waters's “Inaugural Supper”
Copper bowls of tangerines and place cards with fresh bay leaves contributed to the organic decor at chef Alice Waters's “Inaugural Supper” for 175 guests at the Phillips Collection.
Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com for BizBash
Huffington Post’s Pre-Inaugural Party
David Stark designed Huffington Post’s pre-inaugural party at the Newseum to incorporate technology themes. Matching 16-foot laptops provided focal points, but guests also were invited to live-blog, tweet, and post video and images to a site linked to the Huffington Post’s home page.
Photo: Paul Morigi
Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala
Illinois State Society's gala, held at the Renaissance Washington, recreated iconic locations and events from its home state. In one area, guests walked over a mock-up of Chicago's Wrigley Field, complete with Astroturf and bases.
Photo: Joseph Allen for BizBash
Shepard Fairey Installation
In Los Angeles, Firefly LA commemorated the inauguration through an installation of artist Shepard Fairey's iconic "Hope" poster at the Hollywood & Highland Center. A 90- by 70-foot projection of Fairey's work covered the walls and main arch of the complex.
Photo: Courtesy of Firefly LA
