Area demand is high for inauguration

Stateline Area resident Vicky Ivy knows she cannot miss the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, the day the first African-American becomes the nation's leader.

“I never thought I would see it in my lifetime,” she said. “Since it happened I want to be there.”

Ivy plans to journey to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 18 by bus with about 50 others.

So far, they have booked rooms in a Virginia hotel, the closest place with vacancies.

“Everything was taken up because some people were smart and booked stuff before he became president,” Ivy said.

They are hoping for tickets.

Tickets to historic inauguration events have yet been released. Even those in government do not know when the highly-sought items will be available.

“We're given information little by little,” said Jerilyn Goodman, a spokesperson from Rep. Tammy Baldwin's office. “We don't even know how many tickets we have.”

Goodman guessed Baldwin's office will receive about 200 to give away.

Since Election Day, Baldwin's office has collected the names of people interested in attending the event. So far more than 600 people have called, and they usually ask for two or more.

Goodman said Baldwin's office will give priority to those living in the 2nd Congressional District. However, they must pick up the tickets in person at Baldwin's office in D.C.

Goodman encourages people to also call their other legislators for tickets.

Ivy plans to be in the nation's capital whether or not she has tickets for the inauguration.

“Hopefully they'll have big screens so you can see it outside,” she said.

This will be Ivy's first trip to D.C. While she's there, she hopes to see the historical landmarks and soak up the atmosphere of the inauguration.

“I'm very excited,” she said. “I just feel privileged and blessed that I get to go.”

Most of Ivy's expected travel companions helped with Obama's campaign.

Ivy missed seeing Obama when he stopped at Beloit College on the eve of the Wisconsin primary in February because she had to work and could not afford to take off. Instead, that day she helped canvass neighborhoods and distributed flyers.

“I just feel good about it because I worked hard,” Ivy said.

Ivy said her group expects to return to Beloit by Jan. 22 and plans to share their experiences with the community.