The inauguration of President Barack Obama was celebrated in various ways by Americans and people throughout the world Tuesday night, but for people who could afford the tickets—which cost anywhere from $250 to $1,000—the place to be was an inaugural ball hosted by Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor in Oxon Hill.Approximately 2,300 people turned out for the event, a who's-who of Prince George's and state officials that included County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), County Council members and state legislators, called "The Africa & International Friends Inaugural Ball: The Ancestors Dream Realized."Cars lined up at the hotel's front entrance for most of the night, and the rooms were packed with attendees dressed in tuxedos and ball gowns, many of whom said the ball was their chance to be part of the historic inauguration.Wearing a bright orange robe and hat, Kemi Fadojutimi stood out from the flock of reporters who checked in at the gate. A Nigerian immigrant who now lives in Fort Washington, Fadojutimi said she is an independent television producer covering the ball for African countries and immigrants in America."It's like this is the moment that we've all been waiting for," Fadojutimi said with a smile. "This is history."Many of the guests said they hoped the event would draw national attention to National Harbor and other parts of Prince George's."I think [the ball] is really taking the county to another level," said Maryland Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Dist. 23) of Bowie, who was standing on the 18th floor in the hotel's VIP lounge, where waiters served drinks and hors d'oeuvres on silver trays and guests enjoyed a panoramic view of Washington, D.C. "This whole development has really taken us to another level," he said.Jwajiku Korantema, an author from New York who attended the event, said she was not able to go to the inauguration, but going to the ball made her feel like she was part of the historic day.staff writer - Raphael Talismanfor more stories and pictures: www.lithophotoprints.com, www.gazette.net, www.washingtonpost.com
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