Time to put on your bow ties and ball gowns, because it’s inaugural season — at least it is here in D.C., where Mayor-elect Adrian Fenty is planning on holding an inaugural ball January 2. And guess what? You’re invited! Yes, you. I know; we feel special too.

Starting today at 9 a.m. and going till 6 p.m., free tickets to the inaugural ball will be handed out in the rear lobby of the Frank D. Reeves Municipal Center (2000 14th St., NW) until there are no more. The ticket handouts will go until December 29, or until the tickets are all grabbed up, whichever comes first.

The ball itself will be held in the Convention Center, and about 15,000 of Fenty’s closest friends (remember, that includes you!) are expected to show up. And we were sort of kidding about the bow ties (well, except for a certain former mayor) and ball gowns, because the party will be black-tie optional. And (sigh) there is a cash bar. I guess we can’t really expect a public official to fund our public drunkenness.

Besides the ball, January 2 will be filled with other inaugural activities. The day will start with a 7 a.m. prayer service at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. The actual swearing-in of Fenty will take place at 10 a.m. that day in the Convention Center, along with the ceremonies for ANC folks. And then at 2 p.m., Fenty will host an open house in the John Wilson Building at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, for residents to view his bullpen.

So. Will you be headed to the Reeves Center to pick yourself up some tickets? If so, we here at DCist expect a full inaugural report come the 3rd.

Photo by DCMatt