Area viewing parties to celebrate Tuesday's historic inauguration
Most of us will be nowhere near Washington D.C. when Barack Obama gets sworn in as the nation's 44th president. To be part of this historic event, you can watch from home or join viewing parties throughout the suburbs.
There are a range of viewing options - from restaurant bashes with souvenir coasters to gatherings hosted by local Democrats.
All events below are on Tuesday, Jan. 20:
Party with the Party
• Celebrate with Wheeling and Palatine Township Democrats, who'll be watching the festivities on big-screen TVs starting at 7 p.m. at Village Bar & Grill, 48 Raupp Blvd., Buffalo Grove. A $10 entrance fee covers hot appetizers and a ticket for door prizes. Attendees are encouraged to participate in a poetry slam, wear Obama gear and bring a favorite campaign photo to help build the 2008 campaign bulletin board at the Arlington Heights Democratic Office. RSVP by e-mailing wheelingtownshipdems@yahoo.com.
• Tenth Congressional District Democrats plan a replay of the inauguration and live coverage of the balls at an event at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Deerfield, 1750 Lake-Cook Road. It's billed as a family friendly affair, with children under 12 free. Admission is $44 for those 18 and older and $20 for those 12 to 17. There will be food and a cash bar. To attend, go to tenthdems.org and click on the "make a reservation" banner or call (847) 266-8683.
• Eighth District Democrats & Independents host an inauguration party at 6:30 p.m. at the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. State Sen. Michael Bond and local Democrat Nancy Shepherdson are sponsoring the soiree. The barn is in the Prairie Crossing subdivision near Route 45. Inaugural events will be on televisions, with food and drinks available. Donations for a local food bank will be accepted. RSVP at (847) 550-8631.
• The Milton Township Democrats will host an inauguration party that begins at 7 p.m. in the dining hall of the Theosophical Society, 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton. The event is free and there will be food and punch, but visitors are asked to bring a grocery bag full of nonperishable goods for the township's food pantry. For information, call (630) 699-5071.
Coming together
• Black Chamber of Commerce of Lake County Inc. will host an inaugural luncheon starting at 10:30 a.m. at Midlane Golf Resort at 4555 W. Yorkhouse Road in Waukegan. Lunch tickets are $25.
There also will be a $75 black-tie inaugural reception and dinner ball at 6 p.m. at Midlane. Combined tickets for the lunch and dinner ball are $95. Buy tickets online at bccoflakecounty.com or call (847) 244-5548 for details.
• The Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce will hold an inauguration celebration and viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fox and Hound Lounge at the Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. There is no charge, but the breakfast is for chamber members only. Make a reservation at (847) 741-5660.
• JSH&A Public Relations in Oak Brook invites members of the community to celebrate the inauguration. Festivities, including viewing and refreshments, begin at 6 p.m. at the JSH&A office, 2 Trans Am Plaza Drive, Suite 450, Oak Brook. Call (630) 932-4242 to RSVP.
• The Gail Borden Public Library, 270 Grove Ave., Elgin, will show the inauguration live on both the first and second floors. For information, call (847) 721-2411.
• Aurora University will hold "inauguration watch" gatherings for students, who are invited to view the C-Span Webcast on big screens in Crimi Auditorium and Perry Theatre.
• The inauguration will be airing live on televisions in the Harper Student Center (Building A) at Harper College in Palatine.
• St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 342 E. Wood St., Palatine, will hold an "Ancient/Future" worship service at 9:30 a.m. to commemorate the lives of two martyrs, Fabian and Martin Luther King Jr. After Eucharist, there will be a viewing of the inauguration ceremonies in the Foote Library. Call the Rev. Deb Seles at (847) 358-0615.
Food and fun
• All suburban T.G.I. Friday's restaurants will participate in what the restaurant chain is billing as the "World's Largest Inauguration Party." You can watch the event on TV, and the restaurant offers drink and food specials all day. In addition, guests will get a commemorative button. See fridays.com for locations.
• Watch the swearing-in ceremony - and collect the same kind of souvenir coasters being handed out in Washington - at Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. at the Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway. Call (630) 892-0034 for information and reservations.