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Hundreds of Utahns could be in Washington, D.C., in a couple weeks to attend Barack Obama's inauguration.
There will be dignitaries, like Salt Lake City's mayor, officials from the Democratic Party and the like. Pastor France Davis of the Calvary Baptist Church and more than a dozen members of his congregation will also be there.
He believes the crowds and security will be well worth it. "I participated in the early voting rights efforts of our country, and to see that now being realized and the power folk having been exercised to elect this president," he said.
Davis will stay with family who live in the D.C. area. Other members of his congregation are making their own arrangements.
Davis says he's already received several e-mails related to the routes people will and will not be able to take to the event. Many of those in attendance will only have tickets to "standing" areas.
About 1,400 tickets were given to Utah's Congressional Delegation for distribution, but thousands of people requested tickets. Senator Hatch's office says the tickets he was given were distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Todd Taylor of the Utah Democratic Party says he knows of only a dozen or so people who will be going. Taylor, who's attended two previous inaugurations, says he'll watch from home.
For those who won't be going to D.C., the University of Utah will offer a screening of the inauguration at Kingsbury Hall, streamed live from KUED, at 9 a.m.
Reserved seating tickets are free but required and are available at the Kingsbury Hall box office or by phone at 801-581-7100. Tickets are not available online.
The Democratic Party and the Calvary Baptist Church are also planning their own events. Davis says they'll hold a "Prayer-fest" for the swearing-in ceremony.
For a complete list of events for the Presidential '09 Inauguration, click here.
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
