January 20, 2009

Inaugural Excitement Builds!

TFK Kid Reporter Sydney Turner reports on the Children's Inaugural Ball

By TFK Kid Reporter Sydney Turner

COURTESY SYDNEY TURNER TFK Kid Reporter Sydney Turner with Andrea Madrick

I arrived in Washington, D.C., on a sunny but cold day. The District of Columbia is expecting a large crowd. The people that I talked to feel that all eyes are on their city this week.

The inauguration will occur in front of the Capitol Building. After the President takes the oath of office on Tuesday, January 20, there will be a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. No private cars will be allowed in Washington D.C. on that day. Most people will take the public transportation train system, which is called the Metro. The tickets we use to ride on the Metro feature pictures of President-elect Obama.

The Children's Inaugural Ball: Great Event, Great Cause

On the afternoon of Sunday, January 18, I attended The Children's Inaugural Ball. This Ball was fun and free to the public. The Ball was held at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C It was sponsored by the Every Child Matters Children's Fund and 30 other organizations that work to imake children's lives better by focusing on issues like health and education. I spoke to Angela Madrick, the head of Public Affairs for Every Child Matters. She said that the intent of the Ball is to celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Obama and to celebrate what we want for our country and children. You can read more about it at everychildmatters.org.

I also met George Stephanopoulos, who is a political reporter on TV. I told him that I am a reporter for Time for Kids magazine and he took a picture with me.

The Ball was casual and specially designed for children and their families. There were games, interactive exhibits, play areas, story-tellers and puppets. There were also historical activities involving past Presidents, including educational activities about the life of President Abraham Lincoln. I had fun!

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