Ebay and Craiglist have agreed to stop scalpers from selling tickets to the presidential inauguration, at the request of the Congressional Inauguration Committee. It's not illegal to sell them, but the tickets members of Congress issued to their constituents are supposed to be free. Some listings on Ebay and Craigslist are asking anywhere from $100 to $2,000 for inauguration tickets.
An estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people are expected to attend the inauguration--about half the number who came to the 2009 event. "We think it's going to be a great weekend," Brent Colburn, Communications Director for the inaugural committee told Jansing & Co. "We're excited for the people here in D.C. and the rest of the country to come together and celebrate where we've been and celebrate where we're going."
Colburn says the ceremony will feature eight people designated as citizen co-chairs. "These are eight individuals who've inspired the president and really speak to some of the accomplishments of the last four years and also the values he hopes to carry forward in the next four years."
As for the entertainment, the day's festivities will include the inaugural parade, featuring more than 10,000 participants. "The parade is a tradition that goes all the way back to Thomas Jefferson. We really see this as a chance to bring all 50 states into the celebration," said Colburn.
Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, and James Taylor will sing at the inauguration. Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Usher, Marc Anthony and Stevie Wonder are just some of the performers who will be singing at the inaugural balls.