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If you got tickets to the Inauguration, would you go? (Poll)

RootAnn

By RootAnn,
in The Chat Board

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If you got tickets to the Inauguration, would you go?  

171 members have voted

  1. 1. You found out you got tickets for the inauguration. Would you go?

    • Heck yeah. (fill in reason)
      36
    • Maybe. Depends on finances & how much trouble it would be.
      29
    • Maybe, if we liked the new president.
      7
    • Nope. (Don't like new president, not enough $$, too far to travel, work, etc.)
      100
    • Kilts. (Obligitory other)
      5

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RootAnn

RootAnn

Posted
Posted

So, back when, I entered in a drawing with my senator's office for tickets to the Presidential Inauguration in January. I just got an email that said they have them tentatively reserved for my family. (I can't remember how many I requested - but it wasn't for ALL the kids - just maybe 4 of us?) I need to let them know by the end of the month if we'll take them. If we won't take them, they'll give them to someone on the waiting list.

 

8,000 requests went in for something like 200 tickets (for this senator, for my state), so the tickets won't go to waste. (They are non-transferrable.)

 

We're in the middle of the country, so there would be expenses & plane rides, but it would be a really neat experience for several of my kids. (We also have relatives in that part of the country who they would love to visit.) 

 

Obviously, we'll decide on our own after looking at everything. I just wondered what the Hive would do!

 

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Annie G

Annie G

Posted
Posted (edited)

In theory I would like to attend...just to see what it's like and experience a moment in history.  Aside from the politics, what would hold me back is cold weather. I've been to DC in spring and summer and it's great. But right now I'm freezing and the thought of being outside for the inauguration is enough to make me say no. 

Edited by Annie G
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creekland

creekland

Posted
Posted

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:

 

Oh wait, you're serious?

 

My mind would contemplate accepting the tickets, then not going - just because of the candidate.

 

But otherwise, put me in the Hell NO! category - not even if I were paid a huge sum of money.  My integrity is worth far more.

 

And I'm a Republican.

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Daria

Daria

Posted
Posted

I live close enough that it's an easy trip. I went for Bill Clinton. I went for Obama. The feeling of celebration at that one was amazing. I won't be going this year.

 

Just to be clear, the inauguration is open to the public. The ticket will get you a little closer but they aren't needed. Whether or not I had tickets wouldn't play a role in my decision to go or not.

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RootAnn

RootAnn

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We aren't/weren't fans of either of the two major candidates, but this is one of those things that the kids could say they did. (They would also get a chance to see some cousins - one of which they've never met.)

 

My dad marched in the inaugural parade (as part of the military escort) for a president that I dislike quite a bit, but I'm proud he was part of something so great in our country (peaceful passing of power from one of the major political groups to the other major political group).

 

We would be going for the educational / chance-of-a-lifetime (for me, at least) and for the opportunity to travel to see relatives. We could go to see these relatives another time, but DH wouldn't pony up the $$$ unless there was another big reason to also go (like a wedding or a funeral - the two reasons we saw these particular relatives the last two times).

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hornblower

hornblower

Posted
Posted

I live close enough that it's an easy trip. I went for Bill Clinton. I went for Obama. The feeling of celebration at that one was amazing. I won't be going this year.

 

Just to be clear, the inauguration is open to the public. The ticket will get you a little closer but they aren't needed. Whether or not I had tickets wouldn't play a role in my decision to go or not.

 

 

oh I didn't know that. So can you explain how that works? What would the people on the street see? Do people line up early or overnight? 

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Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

If I could afford the travel of course I'd go! I couldn't stand Obama and it only got worse from inauguration and I'd still have jumped at the chance to go to his inauguration too - they're once in a lifetime events and each one is unique and awesome!

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Farrar

Farrar

Posted
Posted

oh I didn't know that. So can you explain how that works? What would the people on the street see? Do people line up early or overnight? 

 

There are areas that are roped off and ticketed that are closer up. And there are areas for VIP's that have actual seating, but that's pretty small. You want to go, yeah, you just show up, like you would for a parade. You can see the Capitol and there are usually speakers and jumbotrons and so forth. If you've got a ticket, you can see the people, but like you would at a giant concert. If you go without a ticket, you could end up pretty far back but you'd be able to experience it and see something.

 

It changes every four years what they do to the city exactly and what the parties and parade and so forth look like, but they do have security to get to various places. Roads are closed. The Metro controls which stations are open. Some people come overnight, but most people will show up early in the morning and wait, again, just like with a parade. The city mostly shuts down - both the city and federal government get the day off.

 

Obama's first inauguration was INSANE. They closed every single freaking road. We tend to avoid the Mall for things like this. It can be a pain even just on the Fourth.

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Stacia

Stacia

Posted
Posted

I was going to mention what Farrar said re: metro stops closing, etc....

 

My uncle & his family tried to go to the last inauguration & they ended up stuck on the metro because it wouldn't stop at any places that they expected to be able to get off.

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luuknam

luuknam

Posted
Posted

I voted both maybes (depending on finances & trouble and on whether we liked the new president). For the current one (or any highly controversial one), you'd have to pay me a lot, because I'd be concerned about how peaceful the inauguration would be. For a normal candidate I'm not a fan of (but didn't loathe) I might if it weren't too $$$ or too much trouble, since it'd be neat for the kids. For a normal candidate I am a fan of the cost and trouble could be a little more, but basically I'd be more likely to go. I've never been though, and odds are I'd decide the cost/trouble would be too much unless the president elect were a relative or personal friend of mine, or if we happened to live really close (but, no plans of moving).

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Dmmetler

Dmmetler

Posted
Posted

I wouldn't want to be within 100 miles of DC for the inauguration. I think it's a potentially very volatile situation, and I wouldn't want my child anywhere near it. I think there will be a lot of protesting-and that it may not all be peaceful.

 

In other years, maybe. Although I grew up in Northern VA. January is really, really cold most years!

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RootAnn

RootAnn

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Y'all are hilarious and informative. We're north country folk who are used to freezing cold (like too cold for snow sometimes) and will have D.C. savvy folks to lean on for logistics. Not too worried about that. (And I wouldn't take my kid who gets sick riding the Metro. ;)

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bettyandbob

bettyandbob

Posted
Posted

I've been to an inauguration. It was not ticketed. Seating requires tickets, but otherwise it's just show up. Watch the weather and dress for weather and comfort and walking. Sometimes it is very cold, you will need the right gear to be out for hours in it. Remember you won't be moving around a lot once the event begins so you will need more insulation than a typical day out in the cold.

 

Arrive early. Some years really early. I think in 2009 there was a huge crowd issue and people with tickets had trouble getting to seating areas.

 

I think it was interesting to be part of such an event once. I don't need to go again, whether or not I liked the candidate.

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bettyandbob

bettyandbob

Posted
Posted

Y'all are hilarious and informative. We're north country folk who are used to freezing cold (like too cold for snow sometimes) and will have D.C. savvy folks to lean on for logistics. Not too worried about that. (And I wouldn't take my kid who gets sick riding the Metro. ;)

Remember you won't be moving around you will be standing or sitting for a long time. That requires different planning for outdoor gear.

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Farrar

Farrar

Posted
Posted

Y'all are hilarious and informative. We're north country folk who are used to freezing cold (like too cold for snow sometimes) and will have D.C. savvy folks to lean on for logistics. Not too worried about that. (And I wouldn't take my kid who gets sick riding the Metro. ;)

 

Ha. It didn't even occur to me to mention that it'll likely be cold. It will, but, honestly, you never know. Sometimes we have 50 degree days in January. Upper 40's isn't so unusual. But it's January. And it's not really the south. Seems obvious it'll be at least chilly.

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Garga

Garga

Posted
Posted

Not this year. My sobs would disturb the people around me and my tears would be freezing to my cheeks, so that wouldn't be enjoyable.

 

I'd go another year, but not unless the kids reeeeeaally wanted to go. One of my children hates being out in the cold and so he'd have to be completely on board to standing out freezing for hours on end.

 

Maybe I'd go if it was just my husband and me and I didn't have to worry about keeping track of my kids. I never feel fully relaxed when I'm out in crowds with the kids because I'm on alert making sure they aren't getting lost the whole time.

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luuknam

luuknam

Posted
Posted

Remember you won't be moving around you will be standing or sitting for a long time. That requires different planning for outdoor gear.

 

But if you're standing the people around you will block the wind, so you won't have the wind chill. I'd think (seemed to work fairly well for Sinterklaas's arrival in NL).

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Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted (edited)

We aren't/weren't fans of either of the two major candidates, but this is one of those things that the kids could say they did. (They would also get a chance to see some cousins - one of which they've never met.)

 

My dad marched in the inaugural parade (as part of the military escort) for a president that I dislike quite a bit, but I'm proud he was part of something so great in our country (peaceful passing of power from one of the major political groups to the other major political group).

 

We would be going for the educational / chance-of-a-lifetime (for me, at least) and for the opportunity to travel to see relatives. We could go to see these relatives another time, but DH wouldn't pony up the $$$ unless there was another big reason to also go (like a wedding or a funeral - the two reasons we saw these particular relatives the last two times).

 

To me those bolded are great reasons right there. By the time your kids are adults the strong feelings about this particular election will have (hopefully) dimmed and it's the experience that will be left. They got to see an inauguration! How many people percentage wise actually get to say that? Also it shows the kids that you respect the office no matter if you agree with the candidate or not- I like your mention of your Dad's experience in the parade.

 

I think it would be amazing to be able to attend something like this. I didn't realize until this thread that anyone could go, but maybe you'll get some extra perks, closer seating or whatever as people are mentioning. Throw in getting to visit the relatives and I think it's a no brainer. I would go. 

 

ETA: It also seems like your kids are at the perfect age to make it worth the crowds. They'll remember it for the rest of their lives. 

Edited by texasmom33
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TranquilMind

TranquilMind

Posted
Posted

So, back when, I entered in a drawing with my senator's office for tickets to the Presidential Inauguration in January. I just got an email that said they have them tentatively reserved for my family. (I can't remember how many I requested - but it wasn't for ALL the kids - just maybe 4 of us?) I need to let them know by the end of the month if we'll take them. If we won't take them, they'll give them to someone on the waiting list.

 

8,000 requests went in for something like 200 tickets (for this senator, for my state), so the tickets won't go to waste. (They are non-transferrable.)

 

We're in the middle of the country, so there would be expenses & plane rides, but it would be a really neat experience for several of my kids. (We also have relatives in that part of the country who they would love to visit.) 

 

Obviously, we'll decide on our own after looking at everything. I just wondered what the Hive would do!

 

Sure, why not?  Well, I don't much like crowds though, and there are some  um, interesting people out there who are discriminating in renting their AirBnB units against anyone who might be attending this inauguration (even though it could be their protesters).  Since I like Airbnb, I don't know.  It would depend upon if we could locate a place to stay at this late date.  

 

But sure...when will you get a chance like that again, assuming you have somewhere to stay. 

 

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rocassie

rocassie

Posted
Posted

If I could afford it and manage the kids (and get good seats not just being part of the crowd for in the back), I would attend regardless of whether I liked who was elected.  I think it would be a really cool/educational opportunity especially for the kids.  Obama is probably the first inauguration I watched live because I wasn't working during the day anymore.  The historical aspect aside, it was really neat to see a peaceful, respectful transfer of leadership.  It would have been cool to be there in person, up close.  I also would love to attend a session of Congress, Supreme Court, and Presidential signing of a bill into law.  Maybe someday, right now finances aren't there for traveling.

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gaillardia

gaillardia

Posted
Posted

Yes, I would go because I'm also pretending all expenses are paid by someone else or that I live in Maryland or Virginia. If I could afford it, yes.

 

Plus, I heard there would be a wearing o' the Kilts at the mall in Springfield (I'm kidding). 

And it would be sweet to see relatives, if they like you. I have relatives that don't like me, so...I wouldn't go just for that.

Our younger kids have never been to the DC sights that they can remember (yes, they've been, but they don't remember).

 

 

 

 

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