By Billy House
Media Generral News Service
Media Generral News Service
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WASHINGTON Whether it’s the shiny new convention center in the nation’s capital or the historic Union Station. the locations of some states' official inaugural balls Jan. 20 give those states bragging rights.
But for Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia and six other Southern states, Barack Obama's presidential inauguration committee Tuesday announced it has selected a ball site with a more earthy pedigree -- DC's National Guard Armory.
If Obama is viewed by some as elegant or even elitist, the setting for this "Southern State Ball," one of five official state balls set by the committee, is anything but elitist.
Events usually at home in this circa 1941 facility include women's roller derby, professional wrestling, boxing, horse shows, circuses and, soon, indoor football.
The armory's Web site says: "It's a year-round parade of exciting events in an historic showplace."
Unlike venues for other official state balls, or a separate military-only "Commander-in-Chief Ball" set at the historic National Building Museum, the armory is not located near the monuments, U.S. Capitol, museums or National Mall.
Rather, it is two miles from the Capitol, across the street from a stadium abandoned for a glitzier site by Major League Baseball's worst team, the Washington Nationals. Fortunately, there is a subway (Metro) stop there.
It almost seems as though Southern states -- even Florida and North Carolina that backed Obama in the general election -- are being punished for some reason.
Inaugural Committee spokesman Melanie Roussell says that's not the case.
"We expect the event at the armory to be a lovely affair, apart from the congestion downtown," she said, adding that the armory can handle the large number of people expected to attend an 11-state ball.
Andre Johnson, a public relations specialist who works for the Historical Society of Washington, said the armory can hold up to 10,000 party goers - and there aren't many alternative venues in the city that can do that.
The location, to be sure, has had its share of shining moments in inauguration history.
Frank Sinatra sang for a ball held there in celebration of JFK's inauguration, points out Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa, from what she read recently (That is true, says Johnson.)
In fact, Johnson adds that the armory has been a regular site for inauguration balls.
President Bush has held several fundraising events there - "even bringing his own air conditioning" one day. (It was in August, he recalls.)
"At first glance, you see an older, 75-year-old facility that doesn't have many modern upgrades. And if you had a choice, of course, you'd want to go with the convention center or Union Station," admits Johnson. But there have been refurbishments - including upgrades to the bathrooms and the floor.
"Given that space is a major issue," he said, "the armory is premium space."
Reporter Billy House can be reached at bhouse@mediageneral.com or at 1 (202) 662-7673.
But for Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia and six other Southern states, Barack Obama's presidential inauguration committee Tuesday announced it has selected a ball site with a more earthy pedigree -- DC's National Guard Armory.
If Obama is viewed by some as elegant or even elitist, the setting for this "Southern State Ball," one of five official state balls set by the committee, is anything but elitist.
Events usually at home in this circa 1941 facility include women's roller derby, professional wrestling, boxing, horse shows, circuses and, soon, indoor football.
The armory's Web site says: "It's a year-round parade of exciting events in an historic showplace."
Unlike venues for other official state balls, or a separate military-only "Commander-in-Chief Ball" set at the historic National Building Museum, the armory is not located near the monuments, U.S. Capitol, museums or National Mall.
Rather, it is two miles from the Capitol, across the street from a stadium abandoned for a glitzier site by Major League Baseball's worst team, the Washington Nationals. Fortunately, there is a subway (Metro) stop there.
It almost seems as though Southern states -- even Florida and North Carolina that backed Obama in the general election -- are being punished for some reason.
Inaugural Committee spokesman Melanie Roussell says that's not the case.
"We expect the event at the armory to be a lovely affair, apart from the congestion downtown," she said, adding that the armory can handle the large number of people expected to attend an 11-state ball.
Andre Johnson, a public relations specialist who works for the Historical Society of Washington, said the armory can hold up to 10,000 party goers - and there aren't many alternative venues in the city that can do that.
The location, to be sure, has had its share of shining moments in inauguration history.
Frank Sinatra sang for a ball held there in celebration of JFK's inauguration, points out Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa, from what she read recently (That is true, says Johnson.)
In fact, Johnson adds that the armory has been a regular site for inauguration balls.
President Bush has held several fundraising events there - "even bringing his own air conditioning" one day. (It was in August, he recalls.)
"At first glance, you see an older, 75-year-old facility that doesn't have many modern upgrades. And if you had a choice, of course, you'd want to go with the convention center or Union Station," admits Johnson. But there have been refurbishments - including upgrades to the bathrooms and the floor.
"Given that space is a major issue," he said, "the armory is premium space."
Reporter Billy House can be reached at bhouse@mediageneral.com or at 1 (202) 662-7673.