Inauguration Fever Heating Up in Washington

Washington has inauguration fever as Americans prepare for US President Barack Obama to take the oath of office for the second time on Jan. 21. Locals and visitors to the nation’s capital lined up Friday to purchase collectibles and keepsakes to commemorate the event at the grand opening of the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2013 Official Store.

Virginia resident Alice Gore visited the store Friday to purchase commemorative merchandise for her family because she said she “wants the inauguration to be memorable.”

Members of the public attended the grand opening of the store and could pick from a variety of souvenirs, including clothing, artwork, pins and buttons, and a special edition poster designed by US artist and longtime Obama supporter Chuck Close.

Customers could choose from over 100 different types of pins honoring the 57th Presidential Inauguration, which is to be held at the US Capitol on Jan. 21.

All items sold at the store were made in the United States and reflect the inaugural theme: “Our People. Our Future.”

Alice Gueno (front right), of Maryland, patiently waits in line to purchase items for herself and friends set to travel from Illinois for the inauguration. She said she is excited to attend the event and to “participate in the reelection of Obama.”

The “Majestic” Marching Knights from Ballou Senior High School in Washington performed for the public during the grand opening and will entertain crowds during the official inaugural parade. “Abe Lincoln,” one of the mascots for the Washington Nationals baseball team, gave some of the band members a hand during their performance Friday

Ashlee Simpson, of Maryland, looks through the selection of T-shirts available at the inauguration store. Simpson said she visited the grand opening Friday to purchase commemorative items because “it’s Obama’s last term, and who knows when we will have another black president.”

Local resident Mitchell Story volunteered Friday to open the door for the many guests who attended the inaugural store’s grand opening.

During the grand opening, members of the Presidential Inaugural Committee reminded guests about the National Day of Service to be held on Jan. 19, a tradition started by Obama during his first inauguration in 2009. He is asking that Americans participate in service projects in their communities to celebrate the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Obama will take his second oath of office on Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 21), a federal holiday marking the birthday of the revered US civil rights leader.