'Everyday Americans' invited to whistle stop

18 to join Obama and Biden on ride from Philadelphia to Washington

Video

Woman wins ticket to inauguration
Jan. 7: TODAY hosts talk to Cynthia Russell about the essay that won her a trip to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration.

Today show

Inauguration 2009

NBC News	Explore Obama's speech Jan. 20: President Barack Obama takes the oath of office and delivers his inaugural address from the steps of the Capitol.
AP	Inauguration Day Jan. 20: Millions flock to the nation's capital for the historic swearing-in of Barack Obama.
	Photosynth: The Inauguration View an interactive 3-D image of the Inauguration from the Capitol.

Video: White House

Dr. Nancy Snyderman interviews President Obama
July 15: NBC’s Dr. Nancy Snyderman spoke with President Barack Obama at the White House in an interview that focused on health care policy. Portions of the interview will air during Nightly News With Brian Williams on Wednesday, July 15, and during TODAY on Thursday, July 16. The interview will also air on "Dr. Nancy" (on MSNBC from noon to 1 p.m. ET) on Thursday. An extended interview will be available on msnbc.com.

Coburn: ‘You got lots of splainin to do’

Obama gives health care reform nudge

Obama ‘hopeful’ about health care reform

INTERACTIVE

Inauguration cartoons
Msnbc.com's political cartoonists take a look at the inauguration of America's 44th president, Barack Obama.

NBC News

updated 10:34 a.m. ET Jan. 7, 2009

WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama has invited a group of "everyday Americans" to join him and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on their Whistle Stop Tour to the nation's capital on the Saturday before Inauguration Day.

Obama's presidential inaugural committee announced the plans for the Philadelphia-to-Washington train ride on Wednesday, adding another element to the expanding horizon of parties and events associated with Obama's and Biden's oath taking Jan. 20 at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.

"Each one of these families has their own remarkable story to add to our American story, and we're thrilled they've agreed to join us as we travel to Washington," said Josh Earnest, a spokesman for the inaugural committee.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Ten inaugural balls also are being arranged for the night of Jan. 20, including a "People's Ball" at the Washington Convention Center.

The invited guests include the following: Mark Dowell, Crestwood, Ky.; Matt Kuntz, Helena, Mont., Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, Mo.; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, N.M.; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, N.H.; Roy Gross, Taylor, Mich., Shandra Jackson, Arlington, Texas; Quincy Lucas, Dover, Del.; Patricia Stiles, Parker, Colo.; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, Pa.; Tony Fischer, Cincinnati; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, Ala., Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, Ind.; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, Iowa.

The tour will start with an event in Philadelphia Jan. 17 and stop for events in Wilmington, Del., and Baltimore, en route to the nation's capital.

The inauguration will take place at high noon Jan. 20 before a large crowd gathered at the Capitol and huge throngs of witnesses along the National Mall and the inaugural parade route.

Click for related content

Obama's step-grandmother to attend ball
QVC to sell Obama trinkets from inauguration
Obama adds 'Youth Ball' to festivities