WASHINGTON — Barack and Michelle Obama's inauguration dance cards are getting filled up — with 10 officially-sanctioned balls, including five regional celebrations.
The presidential inaugural committee will announce Tuesday that the president-elect plans to continue the tradition of "Regional Inaugural Balls,'' which will include inauguration night festivities for the South, Midwest, the West, the East and the Mid-Atlantic states.
In addition to the five regional balls, the president-elect will host a Youth Inaugural Ball — tickets half price for those 18 to 35 — and a ball for his home states — Illinois and Hawaii.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden will host a ball for his home states as well: Delaware and Pennsylvania.
The campaign previously announced that the Obamas would appear at a neighborhood Inaugural Ball — reserved solely for Washington, D.C., residents — and a ball for military personnel, their spouses and those wounded fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The president-elect and the vice President-elect will make the rounds at each of the 10 inaugural balls.
Tickets for the regional balls will be available to invited guests for $150. Ticket distribution will be announced at a later date.
"This is America's inaugural celebration in every way," said Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau.