Tue. Dec 02, 2008 | 12:10 PM

Four ways to get tickets to this historic event.

barack_obama_inauguration.jpgJanuary 20, 2009 will certainly be a history-making day as we welcome President-Elect Barack Obama into office as the 44th president of the United States. The No. 1 question: How do you get up close and personal with the new prez by scoring tickets to the groundbreaking inauguration? We've got tips on how to get in to the main event.

Fork it Over
There are still plenty of tickets left and you can be there -- for a mere $10,000. Unfortunately, this once-in-a-lifetime event is a pricey one. But should you shoot for the moon and fork over the dough, at least you'll be amongst the stars. Look for the likes of Susan Sarandon and Spike Lee to be in attendance.

Craigslist
No, really. Craigslist is peppered with ads to be the guest of some hotshot who already has a pair of tickets -- but no date for the main event. If you're looking for a way in -- and possibly a political love -- give the website a shot.

Hit the Lotto
Each member of Congress is given a chunk of tickets to distribute as they see fit -- and some are holding a lottery for the leftovers. This seems like the cheapest --and least long-term commitment -- of options. But it doesn't come without a warning: Should you win one and attempt to sell it, that's punishable by law with a $100,000 fine.

Diva Your Way in
Of course, the fastest way in is by becoming a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated artist. So hurry up, people, only a little more than a month left to get cracking on your new career as a recording artist! In all seriousness, even our fave superstars will take any way they can get to slip into this momentous occasion. According to the Associated Press, our girl Beyoncé even said, "Whatever they want -- if they need me to volunteer, they need me to sing, I'm there, and I'm ready."


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Posted by Eqwjfgbt 07/15/09 7:13 PM
 
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Posted by Ereftgkw 07/14/09 12:11 PM
 
I am a candian and so proud so happy that a black American Barack Obama won the election.I never missed a day of the election held.I wanted to be there then. I would like to attend Obama's inauguration January 20'09 but can not afford it. I hope when he comes to Canada I will have the pleasure of meeting him and to dedicate a song to a great president Obama
Posted by joyce henry 01/16/09 8:11 PM
 
I would love to see my mother win tickets to see the world change and to see the first african american be sworn into office. My mother is a homeless advocate and a foster parent that thinks of everybody else and her last. we would love to surprise her. we've been homeless or self we loss everything in a house fire i mean everything.
Posted by Bianca 01/14/09 9:44 PM
 
Hey Tyra, I am a Kenyan living in Minnesota,i would for sure like to attend the inauguration of our 44th President Barack Obama. He is the world's president and we honour and respect him for that.Thank you much.
Posted by Monicah 01/11/09 1:41 PM
 
Tyra I wrote my congressman and two senators and my name got picked in the lotto!!! My friend and I are so excited to go. Theres only one problem... I dont have the funds to get there. Please help me!!
Posted by Tianna Minter 12/30/08 5:17 PM
 
I am sending this e-mail on behalf of my mother, she doesn't know it but this would be beyond her wildest dreams. She followed the election from the very beginning. She is 79 yrs old and never dreamed she would she a black president in her lifetime but she did,wow! She wore a pin she got when she was in chicago visiting a family member. She wore that pin with pride everytime she went out in public. Four tickets would be wonderful. Every year for the past few years we have went on a mothers day trip, my mother, my sister my niece and myself. four tickets would be like our early mothers day trip. Thanks Tyra
Posted by cynthia largent 12/26/08 11:13 PM
 
IT's A New DAY!!! TIME TO CELEBRATE.... OBAMA 44TH PRESIDENT...I have been on cloud nine from day one when Obama came on the scene, I knew from day that he was going to win, I even ask Edith Childs,S.C. Gwd. County Council known for the slogan (Fire UP and Ready TO Go) abount getting tickets when she went to the Democrated Convention in Denver, Col. and she stated one thing at a time. I contacted my Congressional Office back in November and he stated that they would be given a limited number of tickets to distribute to the Swearing-In-Ceremony of 44th President. So, due to the overwhelming number of requests already received, it is all but certain that they will be unable to accommodate any requests made at this time. I really don't see how all these Repubicans are going to be given these tickets, but I was told that they put in for them a year ago. I guess they just knew that a Republican was going to win the Presidental Election but they got fooled. Obama is God sent, those at the bottom are going to rise to the top, the Bible is forefilling. I ask that everyone continue to pray for Obama and his family. Also, pray that Obama's Swearing-In-Ceremony be a beautiful mild day, weather wise, so that all the people attending can enjoy the day outside for all of the events. To God Be The Glory...God Did"t Bring Obama This Far To Leave Him Now..The Battle Is Not Ours, It's The Lord....I am going to be there somehow,someway, the day... 01/20/09...I can do all things through Christ that strength me. If God be for you, Who can be against you... Love, Peace and Happinesss...Smile when you can't say a word, You can Smile.... Helen Morgan(A
Posted by Helen Morgan 12/26/08 9:39 AM
 
Hi Tyra, my name is Angela Hayes and I run a non-profit organization in Detroit Mi. I have never received any type of grants or money for my organization, every thing I do I pay. I have a group of 6 students that wold love to go to the swearing in ceremony for preident elect Barack Obama. By the way my organization assist troubled young men and women ages 16-21 to go back to school to obtain their GED and then we transport them to a work site to help low-income families with minor home repairs.A excellent program pleeease help us experience this much needed trip! Love ya Your #1
Posted by Angela Hayes 12/23/08 9:32 PM
 
I know that there will be many stars in attendance. But I would LOVE to go just to see historic event live and in color. Now who wouldn't want to hand that down from generation to generation.
Posted by Ms.B 12/18/08 11:49 AM
 
Guys, sorry but these are NOT the best ways to get tickets to the inauguration!!! If you want to attend the inauguration (FREE!!!!!), then you need to CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR OR CONGRESSMAN. Do a Google search for the senator in your state and email them (or, if you go to their websites, most of them have forms you can fill out to request tickets... which is the BEST way). But ALL State Senators have tickets, although they only have a limited amount... but you still have time if you want to request tickets. There are so many people requesting tickets that it WILL be competitive... but it's worth a shot. But HURRY... and remember.. It is FREE if you get them from your state senator. They are literally GIVING them away. But even if you don't get tickets to the inauguration, still come down to DC during the week of January 20th. MILLIONS of people will be there... even though most of them won't have tickets to the actual swearing-in ceremony. So it will be lots of fun!! And there are LOTS and LOTS of inauguration balls that will be taking place the entire week!! OH... one more thing... If you come across anyone selling inauguration tickets, DO NOT BUY THEM. Chances are that they are fake.
Posted by Catherine 12/12/08 12:01 AM
 
I am a white man, who is so proud of this country! We are taking these steps to change the world and it is starting right now with one voice. Yes, We Can! I would love to get tickets to see this historic event. I know that a lot of African American's probably feel that they should get them over a white guy but I feel in my heart that we are all Americans. I didn't go through what a lot of you went through but we are changing as a country. I don't think we should even have to separate by race on applications or what ever. We are all the same. We are ALL Americans and the day is coming ever so quickly. That bright future for our Country and our World. God Bless America!
Posted by Matthew Hutchins 12/10/08 7:26 PM
 
Tyra, I would really love to be present at this Historical event. It is nice to see how far that us as black people have really come and it would be and honor to attend.
Posted by John 12/09/08 11:44 AM
 
barack obama rocks!!!! yeah hey tyra im 14 i wish i can go to barack obamas inaugration but my mom dosent have enough money
Posted by tina ouedraogo 12/08/08 3:10 PM
 
Dear Tyra, When Barack Obama was announced the President of the United States on December 4, 2008, I could not hold back my tears any longer. Tears that I shed were not only for this victorious day that was long overdue but also tears for courageous people such as, Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King, Jr, Emmett Till, Medgar Evers, and Addie Mae Collins, just a few of many martyrs that did not live to see this joyous day. The pain, heartache, and long-time suffering these people endured still moves me to this day and will as long as I breath air. Tyra, the most that I can do to pay tribute to these martyrs, the soon to be president, and the people that are still fighting for civil rights today, is to be present at the inaugauration of our first and forty-fourth African American president of the United States of America, Barack Obama. Oh what a joyous day this is going to be!
Posted by LOIS TRUDEAU 12/07/08 12:17 PM



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