Obama Adds ‘Neighborhood Ball' to Festivities

Event to be held at Convention Center

WASHINGTON -- President-elect Barack Obama is adding a "Neighborhood Ball" to the list of inaugural parties planned just over two weeks from now.

In announcing the plan Monday morning, Obama said in a statement that he doesn't want citizens of the District or elsewhere to feel left out of the celebration surrounding his elevation to the presidency on Jan. 20.

Obama said he 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." The "Neighborhood Ball" will be held at the Washington Convention Center.

Kevin Griffis, of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, promised A-list entertainment at the event.

Officials said 5,000 tickets for the event will be made available free or at an "affordable price" and that a portion of the tickets will be set aside for District residents.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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