240,000 tickets to Barack Obama’s swearing-in, the parade, and the balls go out later this week
But Washington’s expecting at least four times that many people -- probably more -- willing to brave freezing temperatures for hours.
It all starts with a huge public welcome and concert at the Lincoln Memorial Sunday.
DC's subway is preparing for a massive overload.
Lisa Farbstein of DC Metro said, "We're looking at that at sort of being our July fourth on steroids, with the crowds that we're expecting."
Excitement is growing. Area residents got a taste of it during Sunday’s parade rehearsal.
Jennifer Valeck, a Washington, DC resident said, "It's fabulous. I teared up. I feel like it's the real deal already."
With 13,000 bands, soldiers, and civilians marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, not everyone will get a clear view.
David Valeck, Washington, DC resident, said, "Even if we can't come down here on the 20th - we feel like we've already been a part of history."
Construction's still under way on the white house viewing stand.
For the ceremony, the Presidential Inaugural Committee for the first time ever is opening the entire National Mall to the public.
Brent Colburn of the Presidential Inaugural Committee said "... involve as many people as possible and let as many people as possible across the country feel like this is really their Inauguration."
All those crowds require massive security. Most of downtown will be shut down to cars, in part so the city can park the 10,000 charter buses headed here.
The secret service is in charge of dozens of federal agencies and thousands of officers coming from all over the country to help.
They’re also counting on all those people.
Eric Zahren of the U.S. Secret Service said, "They are all our eyes and ears out there, in these crowds, in these public areas. We count on them as a force multiplier. They're really helping us to do our job and keep the event safe."
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