What to Know: The 2013 Presidential Inauguration

On January 21, several hundred thousand visitors are expected to converge on the National Mall to witness the 57th Presidential Inauguration. If you are planning to attend the ceremony, or just to spend time in the area, here are some things you should know before your visit.

City offices will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and Inauguration Day.

Transportation

While the City of Alexandria will not play a direct role in the festivities, the large volume of visitors will have significant impacts on local and regional transportation. Some major bridges and roadways will be closed down during the ceremony. Event organizers urge attendees to use public transporation, such as Metro rail or bus, or consider bikeing or walking. Check out these resources for more info.

• Metro has a web page dedicated to Inauguration Day rail and bus travel.
• Inauguration DC has a page dedicated to getting to and around the District on January 21.
• Check out this map detailing road closures and vehicle restrictions.
• Take the Water Taxi! There will be special service hours for the Inauguration.
• Going by bike?
• The District Department of Transportation and goDCgo will be offering a bike parking area.
• Capital Bikeshare will have special corrals set up for Bikeshare bikes.
• DASH busses will be running on a Saturday schedule.
• Virginia Railway Express will be closed on January 21, and will resume normal service on January 22.
• Local Motion is Alexandria's hub for all things transportation. Check here for alternative transportation resources.

Safety

Spectators who plan to attend the event on the National Mall can expect long lines and to be standing outdoors for several hours. Be sure to dress accordingly. Wear layers of clothing to stay warm and dry. Children and the elderly are at higher risk of cold weather-related problems. for more information, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's web page for winter weather safety tips. 

Expect heightened security on and around the Mall, as well as possible inspections at the 13 entry points. Know the list of prohibited items before you go.

The entry points are as follows:

• - 2nd Street NW and C Street NW
• - John Marshall Park at C Street NW
• - Indiana Avenue NW between 6th St NW and 7th St NW
• - 7th Street NW and D Street NW
• - 10th Street NW and E Street NW
• - 12th Street NW and E Street NW
• - E Street NW just east of 13th Street NW
• - 13th Street NW and E Street NW
• - 14th Street NW and E Street NW
• - 12th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
• - 10th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
• - 7th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
• - Constitution Avenue between 6th Street NW and 7th Street NW

Plan

Sign up to D.C. Alerts for real-time information on Jan. 21 about road closures, weather and more. Subscribe at www.inauguration.dc.gov. Receive emergency notifications, alerts and information about the 2013 Inauguration from the United States Park Police. www.capitalregionupdates.gov/clients/4063/517915.pdf

Information also will be available prior to and during Inauguration day on social media sites such as Twitter. To see Inauguration related material on Twitter, use #inaug2013. Some of the Twitter sites being used to communicate information from the Inaugural public safety and security partners include:

• District Department of Transportation - @ddotdc
• Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies - @jccic2013
• Joint Task Force-National Capital Region - @JTFNCR
• National Terrorism Advisory System - @NTASAlerts
• Office of the D.C. Mayor - @MayorVinceGray
• Secret Service - @SecretService
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security - @DHSgov
• WMATA - @metroinaug

Visitors

Looking for a place to stay for the Inauguration? Check out the resources for travel and lodging at the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association.

Feeling charitable? Check out the Servant Forge Humanitarian Inaugural Ball on Sunday, January 20, in National Airport’s Historic Terminal A. After a $6 billion presidential election, the Ball will focus on the needs of those marginalized by abuse, neglect and indifference. All proceeds from this bipartisan Ball will support gender-based violence prevention and intervention programs, including Alexandria’s Domestic Violence Program and Sexual Assault Center, the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership, the SOHO-Space of Her Own creative mentorship program and the Gang Prevention, Intervention and Prevention and Education Program. Admission is $155.00 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine bar and access to silent and live auctions. Entertainment will be provided by The Kelly Bell Band, voted Best Blues Band in the Mid-Atlantic Region for the past 12 years in a row. For more information please contact us via email at jessdrake@servantforge.org or call 202. 457.7771.

Feeling thirsty? What better way to celebrate during Inaugural Weekend than with beer! Join theGadsby's Tavern Museum and Yards Brewing Company at the Presidential Beer Dinner on January 18 to highlight George, Tom, Abe and Barack. The first tasting begins at 7 p.m.

Day of Service

Alexandria celebrates the 57th Presidential Inauguration with a day of service. On Saturday, January 19, teen and adult volunteers will engage the City’s youth in reading activities geared towards the creation of their very own storybook, which will be signed thereafter by the First Family. This day of service is designed for elementary school-aged children in the City of Alexandria to teach them the importance of giving back to their community. Participants will also receive books at the end of the day. Events will be held at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center, 1108 Jefferson St.; Charles Barrett Recreation Center, 1115 Marth Custis Dr.; and the T.C. Satellite location at Landmark Mall.  Click here for more info, including the complete bus schedule.

For further information contact Jason Ellis at 703.535.3175, or jellis@arha.us; or Shawn Thorpe at 703.824.6875 or shawn.thorpe@acps.k12.va.us.