ANNOUNCING THE FREE REPUBLIC W2 INAUGURAL BALL, FEATURING GOV HUCKABEE AND CAPITOL OFFENSE

Free Republic W2 Inaugural Ball ^

[Jim Robinson]

Click here to order your tickets!

ANNOUNCING
THE FREE REPUBLIC W2 INAUGURAL BALL
FEATURING
GOV. HUCKABEE AND CAPITOL OFFENSE

Free Republic’s 2001 Inaugural Ball and Count the White House Silverware Party was such a rousing success that 61 million Americans demanded we do it again in 2005. So, we are!

The Free Republic W2 Inaugural Ball, featuring Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and his rock and roll band, Capitol Offense, will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2005 in Washington, D.C.

The Ball, which will celebrate the reelection of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, as well as honor our men and women serving in the Armed Forces, will be held at the Washington Plaza Hotel from 7 p.m. to Midnight.

Admission to the Free Republic W2 Inaugural Ball is currently $175 per person for those purchasing advance reservations by December 31st and will be $200 per person thereafter, and $250 at the door if not sold out beforehand. A limited number of restricted children’s admissions are available for $30 for those children under 13 years old. Please note that paid admissions are nonrefundable.

Attire for the Ball is black tie optional.

We are very honored that Governor Huckabee and Capitol Offense accepted our invitation to play a return engagement at our Ball. Everyone was so thrilled by their performance at the 2001 Ball that asking the band to play at this Ball was our first priority on November 3rd.

Governor Mike Huckabee (left) and the Capitol Offense Band

Only 1,000 admissions to the Ball will be sold. We’d love to have you join us. FReepers worked very hard this year, on the forum and off, to help secure President Bush’s reelection. This will be your night, too. See you there!

Web Simulcast by RIGHTALK
Your Host: Doug From Upland
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Order Your Tickets Here

FAQs for THE FREE REPUBLIC W2 INAUGURAL BALL

What is the address for the hotel where the Ball is being held?

The Washington Plaza Hotel
10 Thomas Circle
Washington, D.C. 20005
202 842-1300

What attire is appropriate for the Ball?

Black tie and evening gowns are preferred, however business attire and business casual are acceptable. Cowboy boots and dress jeans are also appropriate. Active duty, reservists and retired military are encouraged to wear their dress uniforms.

We appreciate that not all FReepers like to dress up, so use your best judgment. However, wearing shorts, thongs or vulgar t-shirts will not get you in the door.

Why does admission to the Ball cost $175?

Prices for events like this at D.C. hotels have doubled since our 2001 Ball. The price covers the costs associated with paying for all expenses for the Ball. This is not a fundraiser for Free Republic. We are hoping to just break even.

What does the price of admission cover?

The price of admission includes: Buffet style salads, pastas, cheese and fruit, sliced turkey, ham and salmon, desserts, coffees and teas. There will be open bars serving liquor, beer, wine, bottled water, juices and sodas. Free coat check and reduced parking rates at the Washington Plaza are also included. If feasible, we will arrange to hire shuttle buses to give free rides from the McPherson Square Metro station to the hotel and back.

What methods of payment are being accepted?

American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and PayPal.

Checks and money orders are acceptable with the following conditions: Checks and money orders must be received within 10 calendar days of your online order being placed for your request to be honored. Checks returned for nonpayment will be charged $30. Please do not send cash.

A confirmation e-mail will be sent once your payment has cleared. Please save it and print a copy to take with you to the Ball as no tickets will be issued.

Is there a deadline for admission sales?

Credit card and PayPal order requests will be accepted through January 20, 2005, provided the admissions have not sold out by then.

Order requests by check and money order must be placed by December 31, 2004 and received by January 14, 2005, provided the admissions have not sold out by then.

Please note that the price of admission is $175 if purchased in advance on or before December 31, 2004 and will be $200 thereafter until the deadline.

Will admissions be sold at the door?

Maybe. There will only be 1,000 paid admissions available. If they sell out before the Ball, there will be no door sales. If there are door sales, the admission price will be $250. Cash or credit card only. No checks accepted at the door. Government issued photo ID will be required.

Why are tickets not being issued for the Ball?

For security reasons, formal tickets are not being issued for the Ball. When purchasing admissions to the Ball, you will be required to give your name and those of your guests. To gain admission to the Ball, you and your guests will be required to provide a government issued photo ID at the registration table. Any changes as to whom you are bringing to the Ball must be sent via e-mail to Jim Robinson by January 5, 2005. After January 5, please inform Kristinn Taylor by e-mail before January 20.

Are admissions refundable?

No. Because substantial financial commitments must be made for the Ball, we will not be able to refund the admission fee for any reason. If you are unable to attend, you will be allowed to transfer your admission to your designee by following the notification procedure above, or you may donate your admission(s) to a wounded OIF or OEF veteran recuperating at D.C. area military hospitals (contingent upon approval by the hospitals.)

Free Republic reserves the right to refuse admission to the Ball of any known disruptor or antagonist without refunding their admission. Anyone who pays admission and disrupts the Ball shall be removed from the Ball and their admission fee will not be refunded.

Will there be security officers at the Ball?

Yes. For security reasons we will not explain further.

What does the restricted children’s admission cover?

Because some parents don’t wish to leave their children at home on such a special night, we have made arrangements with the hotel for a special children’s room directly adjacent to the Ball. A children’s meal consisting of chicken fingers, french fries, string beans, coleslaw, cookies and fruit punch will be provided.

Parents will be responsible for the supervision of their children. The room can hold about two dozen children under 12, therefore a limited number of restricted children’s admissions will be available.

What about children over 12?

Youths and young adults under 21 and over 12 will have to pay the regular admission price of $175. They will be able to participate in all Ball activities. By law, they are prohibited from possessing alcohol. The hotel reserves the right to card anyone. Persons under age 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Is smoking allowed at the Ball?

Smoking will only be allowed in the hotel bar ( a very short walk from the Ball area) and outside the hotel.

Does having an open bar mean I can drink as much as I want?

No. The hotel reserves the right to refuse to serve anyone appearing intoxicated. The hotel will not serve alcohol to those under 21 years old. The hotel reserves the right to card anyone requesting or drinking an alcoholic beverage.

Is parking available?

Yes. Some street and garage parking is available. The Washington Plaza has a pay parking garage underneath the hotel. Ball guests will be able to self-park at the discounted rate of $9 for the event. Please note the garage has a 6 foot maximum clearance and that it only has about 300 parking spaces. A small lot for taller vehicles will be available next to the hotel on Vermont Avenue.

Street parking is available, but limited as the hotel is near residences and small businesses. If at all feasible, take a cab or Metro to the Ball.

What’s the closest Metro station?

The closest Metro station is McPherson Square on the Orange and Blue lines. It is about a four block walk from the Washington Plaza. We are looking into hiring a shuttle bus to ferry Ball guests from the McPherson Square station to the Ball and then back afterward. We will decide later whether this is feasible and make an announcement about it. Metro normally closes at midnight on weekdays, but should stay open late for the Inaugural. We should get confirmation of that closer to the Ball.

For more information about Metro, go to http://www.wmata.com

What will a taxi ride cost me?

The non-rush hour single passenger fare within one zone is $5.50 The Washington Plaza is located in D.C. Taxi Zone 1, which covers most of downtown D.C. Fares and zone maps can be found at the following: Click for Taxicab Zone Map

Driving directions:

Click for map to hotel

Hotels:

Most hotels, including the Washington Plaza, are requiring a three night stay for the Inauguration. Less expensive rooms can normally be found outside the city in Northern Virginia (Arlington, Crystal City, Alexandria and Falls Church) and suburban Maryland (Rockville, Bethesda, Gaithersburg.) Look for hotels that are close to Metro stations.

Will there be a pre-Inaugural Wednesday night FReeper dinner?

Probably, but we’re not working on that now. We will post a thread in early January to gauge interest. If there is sufficient interest, one will be arranged.

Will there be a souvenir Ball video or DVD available after the Ball?

Maybe, depending on whether there is sufficient interest.

Order Your Tickets Here

(Please direct press inquires to Kristinn Taylor.)

[3D-JOY]

can't wait!!!

See you Saturday.

[freepersup]

bumping the night away !

[freepersup]

that's very punny...

Bumping for the good of the order...

[3D-JOY]

The Inaugural may be a very BUMPY day!

[freepersup]

Definitely bumpy around the free republic site !

er uh that's a bumpy observation AND a call to action (bump!)

gratuitous bump slipped in for good measure...

[libtoken]

Another link to some of the official inauguration events 18-21 January 2005:

http://www.wusatv9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=36154

I understand that because of the big event at the Ellipse at 4 pm on the 19th, local federal employees are being allowed to take three hours of excused absence, so expect rush hour to be even earlier that day.

[3D-JOY]

No reply from Angelwood...I may need directions for tomorrow. Maybe she has been busy! I will try again tonight.

[tgslTakoma]

You have freepmail

[freepersup]

thank you bump...

appreciate the info. on the balls...
the Illinois contingent will be enjoying themselves at Union Station...
knowing about the DC rush hour time frame advancing by 3 hours is key info too...
see you soon...

[A Navy Vet]

Hope you all have a GREAT time at the ball. Just keep in mind that President Bush & Co. is protecting you, and supports our brave men and women who continue to sacrifice for your security.

Please remember, our Armed Forces have turned the tide of world wars. Young men and women from our great country's four corners have humbled history's worst tyrants.

We've carved their thanks in stone and graves. We stamped it into medals. We carefully tended to vast fields where the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom now lay.

More than ever in our history, we cannot fail to pass these stories of courage to the next generation. We must capture their imaginations while paying tribute to all those willing to die for the preservation of our way of life.

The above said, PORTRAITS of FREEDOM pages are dedicated to those who have died, incurred injuries, and otherwise served and sacrificed in defense of FREEDOM, and America’s security, at home and abroad. These are your sons and daughters; they are you husbands and wives; they are your brothers and sisters; and they are your friends. Most importantly, they are your protectors.

They give so you can live in security within a world of aggression.

The Portaits of Freedom is for them. It simply exists so they are not forgotten, and to specifically honor their contributions to our American way of life.

We invite all who personally know of these dedicated Americans or admire specific uniformed service persons to submit their names, photos, biographies, etc. to help build a virtual “wall of recognition”.

Portraits for Freedom exists solely to give thanks and some much deserved recognition to the men and women of our Armed Forces and Merchant Marine, past and present, active, reserve or veteran.

Thank you. God bless our Armed Services and Merchant Marine, and please remember them during your inaugural festivities.

ALL GAVE SOME - SOME GAVE ALL

[freepersup]

fantastic photos !

Inaugural bump- on standby in Uzbekistan, making my way from Afghanistan to the USA, will be home (Illinois) on the 17th, motoring to DC the 18th-19th, if it's any consolation to you, I attended the 2001 Inaugural with 3 friends and missed the Freeper's Ball (what was I thinking ?)

Hey- I did get to see Bo Derek sitting side saddle in the door of a Huey helicopter 'traveling' down Pennsylvania Ave., during the Inaugural parade ! (you're thinking... that had to be one low flying helo for me to recognize Bo eh? actually the helo was mounted onto a flat bed trailer)

[A Navy Vet]

Thank you for serving.

[freepersup]

Thank you for the Metro update (extended hours) especially for 'we out of towners' coming in with (last minute) housing arrangements still pending...

Bumping for the good of the order !

By the way, where's that thread with the subject about DC accomodations ?

Shout'n out from Uzbekistan ! (which is neighbors with Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and old reliable Afghanistan).

[freepersup]

Thank you for serving our country too- my friend!

PS We have Navy personnel doing important work in Afghanistan. One particular group is performing a mission 700 miles from the closest body of water (Arabian Sea) and it is the furthest that this particular unit and it's specialized equipment have been away from the sea.

freep mail inbound-

[tgslTakoma]

FYI to all who are coming to DC for the inauguration...

Dc's subway system, "Metro" has a PDF brochure on its website that has a map of inaugural events, parade route, subway stations, station closings, listing of events and closest stations to those events, etc.

Some important information and helpful tips from the Metro brochure... Metro will open at 5 a.m. and close at 3 a.m. Last train times vary by station. Please check last train times posted at the station you will use after the event.

Archives-Navy Mem’l-Penn Quarter and Smithsonian stations will be closed until after the parade (5–6 p.m.).

For your convenience, you may buy a One Day Pass for $6.50 from a Passes/Farecards machine in any Metro station. Metro staff also will sell a commemorative One Day Pass at selected stations.

Parking will be free at Metro-operated parking facilities.

Metrobuses traveling through downtown D.C. will be rerouted because of the Inaugural Parade and other events. We suggest you take Metrorail to travel to the parade and to other points in downtown D.C.

Special bus-to-rail transfers will be available on Metrobuses traveling in downtown D.C. that will allow you to complete your trip on Metrorail for free. Show the special transfer to the station manager when you enter and exit the station.

[freepersup]

good stuff- all of it... thank you

this looks like a good place to insert the word - bump ! -

[gorush]

Welcome home and thank you, sir! Have a great time at the inaugural ball, it was truly a memorable event for the missus and me.

[freepersup]

Ask not what your bump can do for you, but what you can do for your bump !

I cannot take credit for something that others may think I am... (in this case- returning from Afghanistan as a civilian Army contractor)

Sir- Your profile: provocative reading, Sir.
It was painful yet necessary (the facts, they are stubborn things)

[Chick-with-a-brain]

I went to the FR ball in 2001 and have been feeling down in the dumps about not going this year. I don't have a babysitter, but see that there's a limited number of tickets for children. Does anyone have details? Are folks bringing their kids? Can we keep them with us in the ballroom or are they limited to the room reserved to them for dinner?

[razorbackbep]

Just ordered tickets for myself and some friends. There's a group of seven coming from the University of Arkansas and looking forward to meeting all of you in person!

Can't wait to see you!

Blake