Just 2 official balls will celebrate inauguration

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Around 40,000 revelers are expected to turn out for the two official balls that celebrate President Barack Obama's second inauguration.

 

That's the lowest number of inaugural balls since Dwight Eisenhower was first sworn into office in 1953. 

 

The larger of the events scheduled for Jan. 21, simply called The Inaugural Ball, is expected to draw more than 35,000 people across all five halls on two floors of the Washington Convention Center. The president and first lady plan to dance twice, on each level of the massive party.

 

A second event, The Commander In Chief's Ball, honors U.S. troops. It's being doubled in size from four years ago to about 4,000 participants and will be held on the third-floor ballroom of the convention hall. Tickets are free to military guests.