Incidentally if you’re after a list of the unofficial balls and parties, this site covers them pretty comprehensively; while the National Conference of State Societies site lists all the balls and receptions being held in Washington by each state (eg the Delaware State Society Inaugural Ball, the Washington State Society Inaugural Reception, the Texas Black Tie And Boots Inaugural Ball – no, really – and so on).

The full line-up of official balls has been revealed – and it includes a Youth Ball for those aged 18-35; a Commander-In-Chief’s Ball for wounded veterans and those serving in the military; a Home States Ball for Barack Obama (ie Hawaii and Illinois) and a Home States Ball for Joe Biden (ie Delaware and Pennsylvania).

It also includes the first ever Neighbourhood Neighborhood Inaugural Ball – the idea being that all over the States on January 20th, people will be hosting inaugural balls in their neighbourhoods neighborhoods;  so the community-minded Obamas clearly thought, why don’t we throw one and party with The People in Washington, eh? (Or they possibly thought it without the “eh” at the end.).  The idea of community and The People being further enhanced by plans to link the official Washington Neighbourhood Neighborhood Ball to all the other balls that night by modern technology, ie webcast (they don’t say “live by satellite” any more).

I’m currently waiting to find out if I’ve got press credentials for any of the aforementioned balls or other official inauguration events, so keep your fingers crossed – or, if you’re German: your thumbs pressed – for me…

And it will, of course, look like this:

As opposed to this:

(Note: those aren’t swastika banners hanging at the back there. West Wing fans don’t have to worry about the Nazis getting into power in Season 4.)