Move Over Roller Derby for Southern States Inaugural Ball

BILLY HOUSE
Media General News Service
Published: January 6, 2009

WASHINGTON - Whether it’s the shiny new convention center, the city’s historic Union Station or the grand National Building Museum, the location of some states’ official inaugural balls Jan. 20 gives 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, 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.

The inauguration committee isn’t really saying anything about the choice.
One possible explanation comes from Andre Johnson, a public relations specialist who works for the Historical Society of Washington. He explains the armory can handle up to 10,000 party goers - and there aren’t many alternative venues for an 11-state ball.

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.“