Are you ready for an Inaugural Ball?

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[Jim Robinson]

Yup, Senator Edwards speaks. SoreLoserman II begins tonight, but I'm not waiting!

Congratulations President Bush!!

It's all over but the crying for the SoreLosermen!!

And now it's time for us to start planning the Free Republic George W. Bush Inaugural Ball II!

I've had Kristinn checking venues and prices and we're in the process of getting a proposal from the Wyndham City Center Hotel in Washington, DC (the other Wyndham that we used last time is already booked).

The costs have more than doubled from our first ball, so we're estimating the price per person will have to be in the neighborhood of $175 per person. We'll also have to move fast on this. We'll need to make a quick decision as soon after the elections results are official as we possibly can and then we'll need to quickly raise the funds to put up the required deposit.

So, here's the question: Are you ready for an Inaugural Ball?

If so, please post here if you plan to attend and how many will be in your party.

Thank you all very much and hope to see you in DC on January 20th!!


By the way, everyone told us last time that the Free Republic Ball was the best one in town and it was half the price or less than all the others. I suspect that this Ball will also be the best in town and at $175 will still be priced less than any other!

[kristinn]

That's a pretty neat find.

We should be able to formally announce the Ball next week. We're making sure that all the elements needed for a successful Ball are in place. Thanks for your patience.

[AGreatPer]

"What about transportation from there?"

Rental cars are plentiful at the airports and rates are around $30-$40 per day. Not bad at all. We are lucky having a car since its only 3 hours away.

For the inaguratiion we will probably drive to a local Green Line stop and take the transit.

For the Ball itself, we will probably do what we did 4 years ago and drive towards the hotel where it is and go for pot luck on parking. It worked the last time.

The numbers are easy. In town, D.C., they want $300-400 for a room, even some of the places in Crystal City want that price.

You get a place 10-13 miles out and the room rates go down to $80-$150. Add a $40 rental car and you can see it is a lot more inexpensive to go that way.

It will be a pleasure to finally meet you Doug.

[doug from upland]

It will be a pleasure to meet you, too. I have a room at a Days Inn about 3 miles from DC in Arlington. I think they gave me the last room they are going to give for one night --- they want 3-4 day bookings. No one in DC would take me for one night. I had part of my vacation in DC in October so didn't want to stay several days again. The weather is just too cold for a vacation.

I know it is near the Metro, so I will be taking that in to the Ball. Does someone know about taking the Metro from Dulles and then back to Dulles?

[pharmamom]

There will be two of us!

[pharmamom]

There will be two of us!

[3D-JOY]

Hi Jim...Will be there again, can't wait.

There are four of us.

I have sent email to Kristinn offering to help also.

[ELS]

Yeah, I found that one, too. That was a WND article though, not a FReeper after-action thread.

[Jim Robinson]

Great! See you there!

[Ligeia]

Here's the AAR thread I have bookmarked from the Count the White House Silverware Ball:

***The Ultimate Collection of Inauguration Weekend & FReeper Ball Photos***UPDATED

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a7d63cb273d.htm

[NYTexan]

Almost every sigle pic has gone into the bit bucket black hole.

[JustAmy]

MamaBear and I are staying in Alexandria. We will be taking the Metro into DC. We will be staying for 6 days; arriving Tuesday evening and leaving Monday morning.

[Bilbo]

Jim,
Bilbo and Bilbo's wife (Greg and Geradette Givan) would love to attend the FREEPER Ball again! Thanks!

[ELS]

Thank you! That compilation is great.

[Seattle Conservative]

I'm not sure where you're flying from, but I recall seeing a post from someone from CA who got a Jet Blue flight for around $290.

I did a search on Expedia and found several flights to/fro Seattle (1/18 - 1/22) for about $300, which seems pretty good.

[rabidralph]

I'll be attending and I'll need one ticket, so far.

[doug from upland]

That sounds great. Since I had my vacation recently in DC during good weather, this trip is a 2-day, 1-nighter.

[BillF]

I'll attend.

Thanks for FR, which was instrumental in this and many victories!

[glm]

I would like to attend

[LisaFab]

Great. Thanks for all the hard work. Going out dress shopping today. Will there be a pre-ball dinner on Wednesday night?

[LisaFab]

Thanks. Great thread. Knew somebody would be able to do this.