Posted on 12/08/2004 4:01:05 PM PST by tgslTakoma
As Freepers gear-up for Free Republic's 2nd Inaugural Ball, I thought it might be fun to post some of the photos I saved from the first FR Ball threads in 2001.
There were so many photo threads from that first Ball, but the photos were hosted on now-defunct sites. Unless folks saved the photos to their computers back in 2001, finding any of them on the internet now is next to impossible.
So, here begins the photo journey back four years, to the Free Republic Inaugural Ball and Count the White House Silverware Party...
Name the Freepers...
Great! Hope to see you there!!
Longing to go but can't.
I hope somebody prepares a lively can-can dance in pajamas as part of the entertainment.
About fifteen dancers in pajamas and at the end they all throw their bunny slippers into the audience.
Some of these people are really good looking. I am especially interested in the fellow 17 pictures down, under the caption about "blondes" having fun or something.
Ahem, just for research purposes understand but he is a good looking guy.
Nope. They're all beautiful! And, ahem, the men are soooo handsome, swabbie and debonair. LOL
I'm gonna have to work fast if I'm gonna meet everyone!
I hope I can make it. I would have to room with another woman. I wish I could bring my daughters... But 15 amd 12 are probably too young for this adult beverage party.
I have always wanted to meet you and your family, as well as all the other wonderful Freepers.
Great! Hope you can make it. And I know there are going to be some other girls there about the same age as your daughters. Would be great if you can all make it.
The Duchess and I signed up today. Looking forward to it. If I can't fit into my dress blues, I can always wear my Tux!
Sounds great! See you there!!
Sigh. I wish so badly we (my hubby, child, and myself) could attend, but we can't afford it. Plus we have no idea how to drive in the ice and snow living in Florida, you know. (LOL) And I do like snow, before anyone thinks I'm bragging.
Someone offer Dubya a toast for me, ok? Sigh.
I'm sooooooo excited about another ball! Can't wait!
I think Mr Robinson posted early on (just after the election) that young 'uns are welcome. (I had asked about my 6 year old)
Darn you! Now I want to go! I can't think of anything more fun than dancing with FReepers and celebrating the election.
I remember arriving at the hotel in my "work clothes," knowing just a few local Freepers (DC Chapter members), but very quickly feeling like I was with old friends - as we set about putting together the wonderful table decorations (designed by Freeper "viadexter") and hanging FR protest signs along the walls of the ballroom.
As we worked to put it all together, out-of-town Freepers showed up to offer a hand in setting up. I met so many people at that time, I can't remember all their names; but all of them were so friendly and generous to help set up for their own party.
Governor Huckabee and the band arrived, casually dressed, to do a sound-check, and the hard-working set-up folks stopped long enough to break into dancing and applause for the band.
Anticipation was building.
And once everything was ready, we all hurriedly changed into our party clothes and took our places...
And Freepers started arriving, and then more, and more... and still more, until the ballroom was full, the ballroom lobby was full, the stairway was full, hallways were full, the "overflow room" was full. Freepers were smiling and laughing with one another as they met the people who belonged to the screen names they knew.
We listened as Bob Barr and Gary Aldrich and Larry Klayman (and who am I forgetting??) spoke about the good work that us "regular folk" at FR have done; and that the long nightmare of the Clinton administration was now ended.
And we watched the video presentation that Ironman and Lazamataz put together. We laughed, we cried. We thanked God that Al Gore wasn't the one inaugurated earlier in the day. We were all on a cloud!
After all the speeches and awards, Governor Huckabee and Capitol Offense took the stage and started rockin' the house. The dance floor couldn't hold everyone who wanted to dance. The whole ballroom became the dance floor!
I spent most of the evening working at the button/souvenir table, but I slipped into the ballroom numerous times. And before anyone feels sorry for me, I had a blast doing what I was doing, because I got to see everyone; and met so many Freepers as they picked up their favorite buttons and things. Throughout the entire evening more people arrived and joined in on the most fun and rockin'est party in town! Angelwood said that the hotel gave up counting attendees at 1100, and still more arrived.
And then the ball ended, but so many of us weren't ready for our celebration to end - so we went to the hotel bar until it closed!
Our magical night was winding down as we wandered into the lobby and said our goodbyes, thank-yous, and great-to-meet-yous to our now old and fast friends; and as we wandered over to the front doors we saw that the city was being blanketed with a clean white layer of snow.
It was a beautiful night. And for most all of us, it was the beginning of something very special.
Stand, honey, you look wonderful in your uniform!
Free Dixie!
Cy
Thanks for the nice reflections on the 2001 Inaugural Ball. Sandy and I enjoyed the evening very much. I'm sure the 2005 version is going to be every bit as grand and enjoyable.
To everyone going, have a great time.
Wonderful photos! Thanks for posting them.
We'll miss you guys.
Thanks for such a great recap of a fantastic Ball!
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