As Inauguration Day draws near, many people are making plans to attend the event in person on Jan. 20 at the U.S Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Or to attend a ball or party for the inauguration.
People around Rochester are gearing up for the day, too; setting up travel plans to attend the inauguration with a group of people or going solo.
It will be a packed-full weekend for Monroe County GOP Chairman Patrick Reilly, who will be attending the inauguration as part of the New York State delegation.
Reilly said that the delegation will begin its activities on the Saturday before the inauguration with events like speeches, fundraising, think tanks and round tables. On Sunday morning, the delegation will hold a New York State breakfast with different speakers.
On Sunday afternoon, Reilly said, he’ll be attending Trump’s rally at the Capitol Center before the evening reception for those visiting from New York. On the day of the actual inauguration, Reilly said, there will be parades, the ceremony and both official and unofficial balls. “So it really turned into a multi-day thing with all sorts of stuff going on, like every lobbying organization and think tank and all that stuff, they’ll all have their own balls and different events going on throughout that whole weekend also,” he said.
Black Republicans make plans for visit
Cecil Johnson, treasurer and media specialist for the Black Republican Club of Rochester, said he will be attending the inauguration event because it’s a historic moment for the country.
“I am going with the hope and expectation that our country can shift from progressive policies that create poverty, destruction and death to one of ownership, empowerment and creativity,” Johnson said.
Marcus C. Williams, who is a founding member of the Black Republican Club of Rochester and is Chairman of the Rochester City Republican Committee, said this will be his first time attending a presidential inauguration in person.
Williams expressed how the event is more than just a once-in-a-lifetime thing for him. “It’s a celebration for turning over a new page that will also give more hope that we can return power to the people versus it all being consolidated in the hands of the government,” Williams said.
More: When does Trump take office? What to know about Inauguration Day
Abdul Bounds, a friend of Williams, is also attending the inauguration to witness Trump deliver on the promises he made for the county.
Bounds attended Donald Trump’s rally in New York City last October. The rally gave him hope for the country as everything Trump said sounded right to him.
“I look forward to hearing what plans he has for African-Americans in this country and how we are going to succeed,” Bounds said. “He called it out, he said ‘ya’ll are always looked at as last when ya’ll built this country,’ at the end of the day we’re all Americans.”
Larry Staub, a Republican activist in Monroe County, served as a delegate to all three Republican national conventions that named Trump as candidate for presidency in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
For Staub attending the inauguration is a great opportunity for him to continue that support and celebrate Trump’s victory. “I think it’s a remarkable thing in our country and in our republic that every four years we have this ceremony that is open to the public and we see either the continuation of a presidency or the dissolution of a presidency and the start of a new one,” Staub said.
When is the Inauguration Day?
The inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump will take place on Monday, Jan. 20. This coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, falling on a national holiday for the first time since 1997.
What time is the 60th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony?
The day will kick off with the Swearing-In Ceremony at noon EST.
Where are Inauguration Day ceremonies being held?
Inauguration Day events will be held at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC).
Inauguration Day 2025 schedule
While JCCIC has yet to release a timetable or the names of specific speakers, musical artists or other guests, they have laid out the major beats of the day.
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President’s Room Signing Ceremony
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Presidential Parade and Reception
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County. Get in touch at kweaver@gannett.com.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
— USA TODAY contributed information for this article.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester locals prepare travel plans for Inauguration Day in DC