Free Inaugural Ball Tickets For Some DC Residents

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA/PIC)--Monday the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced plans for a "Neighborhood Inaugural Ball" on January 20th.

According to a PIC news release, "The ball will be the premier event of inauguration evening on January 20^th and will take place at the Washington Convention Center."

PIC says some tickets will be given out free to District residents. Details on how many free tickets will be available and how people can qualify for the tickets are still being ironed out says Kevin Griffis, spokesperson with the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

In addition to the free tickets, other tickets will also be available at "an affordable price." Griffis could not tell 9NEWS NOW how much the tickets will cost at this time.

"With tickets available free or at an affordable price, it is the first official inaugural ball of its kind to be held during a presidential inauguration," says the PIC news release.

While a portion of tickets will be set aside for District residents, Griffis says anyone can attend the ball.

PIC says "the ball will also feature a robust interactive component, including webcasting and text messaging, to link neighborhoods across the country with the new President and this premier event. The PIC will release more details soon about using technology to allow Americans who are attending neighborhood balls across the country to participate actively in this celebration."

"This is an Inauguration for all Americans," said President-elect Obama. "I wanted to make sure that we had an event that would be open to our new neighborhood here in Washington, D.C., and also neighborhoods across the country. Michelle and I look forward to joining our fellow Americans across the country during this very special event."