45 Unofficial Presidential Inauguration Balls so far

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While the Obama Presidential Inaugural Committe (PIC2009) does not provide any details about the 10 official balls, which will be attended by Mr. and Mrs. Obama after the Presidential swearing-in ceremony and the Inaugural parade.

Destination DC, a tourism organization has compiled a partial list of the unofficial balls, along with other events related to the inauguration that will take place from Jan.17 to 21, 2009. These events are organized by various special interest groups, corporations, and state societies.

The capital city has even issued an "Emergency" bill that will allow restaurants with liquor licenses to serve food and booze for 24 hours a day from January 17th through the 21st.

The Aloha state will have it first Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball ever. The Society is also waiting to have its status changed from unofficial to an official ball. All tickets are sold out in 3 days after the election.  It appears that the entire state of Hawaii is celebrating its favorite son on becoming the 44th President of the United States. 

Other unofficial balls and celebratory events range from H.O.P.E. Inaugural Youth Ball to Aloha Inaugural Ball. from Aretha Franklin free concert to a live episode of The Oprah Winfrey show at the John F. Kennedy Center, from Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service to the Asian Americans for Obama Pearl Gala, from the Historic Inaugural Ball to MTV's Be the Change Inaugural Ball, and the Aloha Inaugural Ball, to name a few.

Since the posting of this article, additional unofficial Inauguration balls have been added to the list, which brings the total to 88. 

Other Inauguration-related article(s) done by this writer:

• National Mall Opens for Barack Obama's Inauguration