Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

NEW YORK—Barack Obama’s momentous inauguration as the 44th president of the United States will happen in less than a week, and the people behind this momentous event are working double time to make sure that everything will go on smoothly as planned.

A week of festivities including the actual Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony, Inaugural Address, Inaugural Parade and numerous inaugural balls and galas honoring the new President of the United States have been organized.

Up to two million spectators are expected to descend on the nation’s capital to attend the various events.

The biggest inauguration crowd on record is 1.2 million for Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965; John F. Kennedy drew 1 million in 1961 despite snow, and Bill Clinton 800,000 in 1999. Because of this expected heavy turnout, officials are encouraging everyone to use public transportation. They are also asking people to be early and anticipate huge crowds and thorough screening.

"The US Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department, US Capitol Police, and other local and federal agencies are providing an unprecedented level of security for the Inauguration," read a media advisory obtained by the Asian Journal.

The 56th Presidential Inauguration, which will take place on the West Front of the US Capitol, will begin at 11:30 am on Tuesday, Jan. 20 and will be followed by a parade along Pennsylvania Avenue at 2:30 pm. The presidential motorcade will traverse Pennsylvania Avenue from Capitol Hill to the White House.

On Saturday, Jan. 17 President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families will travel by train to Washington, DC and will host events along the way in Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore.

A star-studded free concert at the Lincoln Memorial will be held on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 2 pm, kicking off what many consider now as the most open and accessible Inauguration in history. The event will be open to the public and broadcast live exclusively on HBO.

Musical performers scheduled for the event include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington.

Since Monday, Jan. 19 is Martin Luther King day, Obama and Biden and their families will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, DC area to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

Another free concert will be held in the evening at the Verizon Center and will be aired live on Disney Channel

Many inaugural balls and galas will take place at venues throughout Washington, DC from January 15 - 24, 2009. The official balls are planned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee and unofficial balls and parties are planned by the State Societies of Washington, DC and a variety of other organizations.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, announced recently the program for the inauguration.

"I am delighted to announce this superb line-up of participants in the 2009 inaugural ceremonies," said Senator Feinstein. "The inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama will be an event of historic proportion. It is appropriate that the program will include some of the world’s most gifted artists from a wide range of backgrounds and genres."

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and world-renowned cellist and ambassador for the arts Yo-Yo Ma lead the list of the performers for the program.

Chief Justice John Roberts, Sr. will administer the oath of office to President-elect Barack H. Obama.