Inauguration By the Numbers

From PIC:

1,120,000: Metro train rides taken on January 20th, setting a new record for one-day ridership.

18,000: Volunteers provided support for the inaugural activities.

Over 13,000: Service events organized in response to President Obama’s call to service.

13,000: Participants marched in the Inaugural Parade.

8,000: Members of America’s police departments provided security on Inauguration Day.

1,382: Applications received by the PIC, from groups requesting to march in the Inaugural Parade.

Over 1,000: Neighborhood Ball Parties organized across the country.


432: Presidential Inaugural Committee staff worked to put together the most open and accessible inauguration in history.

Over 90: Groups marched in the Inaugural Parade.

76: Years since Mickey Rooney, who rode atop the Spirit of the Lincoln Highway fire truck in this year’s parade, participated in his first inaugural parade.

58: Agencies collaborated on the security for the Inauguration.

10: Jumbo screens on the National Mall broadcasted inaugural events.

3: Bipartisan dinners hosted by President Obama.

DC's Dunbar Senior High School Band Rehearses for Inauguration

Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps Practices for Inauguration

I'm a sucker for marching bands:

Dress Rehearsal For Inaugural Swearing-In and Parade - Photos

The stand-ins for the Obamas during rehearsal:

President-elect Barack Obama—Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks
Home unit – 741st Military Intelligence, Fort Meade, MD
Hometown – Fayetteville, NC
AFIC Assignment – Ceremonies Logistics
Time in military – 7.5 years
Deployed – Iraq 2003-2004, Afghanistan 2006-2007
Quote – “This is a great opportunity to be a part of this historic moment.”

Michelle Obama—Navy Yeoman 1st Class LaSean McCray
Home unit – OPNAV Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education Command
Hometown – Miami, FL
AFIC Assignment – Personnel Management
Time in military – 12 years
Deployed Experience – Mediterranean 1992-1993
Quote – “I’m very excited and honored even if it’s for a drill.”
Read more here

Parade dress rehearsal:

Ladies and Gentlemen President H. Obama:


Saluting soldier and marching band:


Motorcycle police lead the rehearsal:


Army marching band:

Lawn Rangers Marching in Inaugural Parade

This is funny. Check out the video below. 

Amid the French horns and cymbals and soaring batons of the 56th Inaugural Parade, a spunky corps of lawn mower-pushing Illini will plow along the route from the Capitol to the White House.

The World Famous Lawn Rangers, hailing from “Amazing” Arcola, Illinois, are one of the many bands, troupes, and ensembles who have been invited to perform in the parade following the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on January 20.
....

Says Pat, one of the Lawn Rangers:

I have been asked many times as to why I think we were selected over the almost 1400 other groups who applied for this position. I can only think that we are known for having a good time and showing people how to have a good time with us, and the Inaugural Committee must think our services are needed. It is a definite American trait—the ability to laugh at ourselves—which may be needed now more than ever. Or it could be that we were the only lawn mower drill team to apply.

Says Tony, another Ranger:

Barack Obama will bring to the White House a combination of leadership and vision found but once in a generation, and I think he demonstrated that vision when he chose to invite the World Famous Lawn Rangers of Amazing Arcola to march in the 2009 Inaugural Parade.