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Many Utahns left today for Washington, D.C., to attend the historic presidential inauguration. We spoke to a couple who won their trip and couldn't be more excited.
Rajeanna and William Tandy received two all-expense paid tickets to the Presidential Inauguration when William won an essay contest aimed at finding out what the inauguration means to individuals.
"There were 250,000 entries, and they picked 10. In a scale of 1 to 10, I feel like a 12 right now," William said.
William is a Republican who recently lost his job in Price. He says he was tired of this administration and wanted someone with a different perspective, different attitude. "I'm for someone who's for the people, for all the people, not just a certain segment of the people."
William's wife Rejeanna teaches family and consumer science at a junior high school in Price. She says she can't wait to get back and share her experience with her students. Three students from the University of Utah were also invited, and they're going to be blogging about their time online.
Some Salt Lake City religious leaders will also be attending -- LDS President Dieter Uchtdorf, Elder Russell Ballard and Catholic Bishop John Wester.
All in all, everyone says this is the opportunity of a lifetime.
"You always hear about people winning the lottery and you wonder, wow, how lucky. And then we just won the lottery!" Rajeanna said.
And if you weren't so lucky to get a ticket to D.C., there are many places you can go to watch history unfold:
T.G.I. FRIDAY'S:
"World's Largest Inauguration Party" at 920 restaurants in 62 countries from open to close.
HINCKLEY INSTITUE:
Watch inauguration at Kingbury Hall 9 a.m. MST
Free ticket required by phone 80-581-7100 (Not available online)
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION PRAYER-FEST:
People invited to join in pray for the President Obama and Vice President Biden at 9 a.m.
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
1090 S. State Street, Salt Lake City
Call for tickets 801-557-0867
www.BrighterDayProductions.org
SUNRISE SENIOR LIVING:
Residents and local seniors invited to attend special party.
2130 E. 9400 South, Sandy
Starts at 10:30 a.m.
INAUGURATION BALL HOSTED BY UTAH STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY:
The Depot (13 N. 400 West, Salt Lake City)
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Party from 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Tickets at www.UtDemocrats.org cost $50
CELEBRATION AT SUNDANCE:
The Sidecar (333 Main St.)
7:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $50 -- available at www.actblue.com
You can watch the entire inauguration right here on KSL, starting Monday at 10 p.m. That's when we'll first check in with political correspondent Richard Piatt, who is monitoring the event live from Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, we will carry the entire inauguration starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m.
E-mail: ngonzales @ksl.com
