Inauguration, Parade Rehearsal Take Place in D.C.

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Washington Post

Officials staged a large-scale rehearsal of the upcoming presidential inauguration and parade this morning -- and even practiced the swearing-in at the Capitol with a stand-in for Barack Obama....

The activities began before dawn, with thousands of people deployed later in the morning at the Capitol and along the parade route. It was cold and damp when the rehearsal began, lit by a full moon. The drill ended about 11:30 a.m. "It's an opportunity to make sure all the systems prepared for the parade are functioning," said Kevin Griffis, a spokesman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

The practice ceremony at the Capitol got under way just before 8 a.m., with about 200 people gathered as the "44th president" of the United States -- for today, Derrick Brooks -- was introduced. Numerous people stood in for other officials and dignitaries who will be in place on Jan. 20, including proxies for Michelle Obama and the couple's two daughters, Malia and Sasha. Children even played the stand-ins for the girls. But most of those in the drill will be on hand for the big day. The idea was to test almost every aspect of the inauguration to make sure all goes well. Among other things, officials tested a sound system that will be used to broadcast public-service messages to the gigantic crowds expected at the Mall and along the parade route.

The elite U.S. Marine Band was on hand and played the swearing-in ceremonial music, including "Hail to the Chief." After the practice swearing-in, officials moved onto the departure ceremony that will take place the afternoon of Jan. 20 for outgoing George W. Bush, including the take-off of a military helicopter from the Capitol grounds. The parade began just after that, winding up at the White House. Pennsylvania Avenue was closed between Third and 17th Streets NW until 11:30 a.m....

Three committees oversaw the rehearsal: the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, handling events at the Capitol; the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, handling the parade, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which represents Obama's planning team.

For some members of the public, the trial run was a chance to get a glimpse at history in the making....

***

As for the real thing: 5,000 tickets for bleacher seats for the parade sold out within minutes on Friday, but officials said that the public can watch for free in many spots along the route. The 240,000 tickets to the swearing-in will be distributed by members of Congress and the Presidential Inaugural Committee. But the bulk of the Mall will be open for non-ticketed viewing and served by banks of giant video screens.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011100625_pf.html

[annabanana]

1. Somehow the whole concept of a "rehersal" parade cracks me up..

I mean.. it's still a parade, right?

[DeepModem Mom]

2. And it was quite the parade! From the article --

"More than 3,000 people, mostly military personnel, joined the practice parade, about 10,000 short of the actual number of participants scheduled for inauguration day. Non-military parade participants included bands from Howard University, T.C. Williams High School, Dunbar High School and the Virginia Military Institute.

Dunbar High stirred the crowd with a rousing rendition of Frankie Beverly and Maze's 'Before I Let Go.' The dancers sassily shook their hips and turned their heads in synch while the rest of the band high-stepped."