Jackson Free Press

Does the Mississippi Democratic Party know how to have (slightly ridiculous) fun? All signs point to yes:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, NOV. 21, 2008

Mississippi Dems plan Inaugural Sky Party

Tickets for the chartered flight from Jackson to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington, D.C., are $630 each and on sale now.JACKSON (Friday, Nov. 21, 2008) - Tickets go on sale today through the
Mississippi Democratic Party for seats aboard the "Inaugural Sky Party,"
a chartered flight that will take Mississippians to Washington for
President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in.

Round-trip tickets on the Boeing 737 cost $630 each and are available at
the Mississippi Democratic Party Web site, http://www.msdemocrats.net. You also
can buy them from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and
Sunday by calling (888) 743-4397.

The flight will leave Jackson-Evers International Airport for the
Baltimore-Washington International Airport early on Saturday, Jan. 17,
2009, with a return trip set for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009. Seats are
limited and will sell fast.

"What better way to mark this historic milestone event then by
traveling to Washington, attending the inauguration in person and
celebrating with fellow Democrats and Mississippians," said Jamie
Franks, chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party.

"This is a chance to witness first-hand President-elect Obama's
swearing-in, participate in other inaugural activities and also take in
some sight-seeing," Franks said. "President-elect Obama has promised
change is on the way - and Mississippi Democrats will see it for
themselves."

The Mississippi Democratic Party has secured a bloc of rooms at four
Washington, D.C., area hotels: The Westin National Harbor, 171
Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md.; the Gaylord National Resort, 201
Waterfront St., National Harbor; the Hotel Lombardy, 2019 Pennsylvania
Ave. N.W. in Washington; and the prestigious Mayflower, 1127 Connecticut
Ave. N.W. in Washington.

Room rates at each of the hotels range from $599 a night to $659 a night
for singles and doubles with a minimum four-night stay; suites also are
available at a higher price. You can book rooms at each of the hotels
through the Mississippi Democratic Party Web site.

The Mississippi Democratic Party also continues to plan an inaugural
ball the night of Jan. 20, 2009. Tickets are expected to cost $200 each;
as soon as details are complete, the party will announce the location
and begin selling tickets.

The chartered flight promises to be a unique, memorable event.

Passengers will receive first-class hospitality and a champagne brunch
featuring chocolate-covered strawberries, breakfast burritos, cocktails
and party favors. Everyone who boards the flight will be photographed
and receive the prints on return. A video of the flight will be
available for a donation.

"We are looking forward to hosting this chartered flight," said Rosalind
Rawls, executive director of the Mississippi Democratic Party. "We
wanted to plan something different and distinct - and the Inaugural Sky
Party seemed like the perfect event."

* * * * *

TRAVELING TO THE INAUGURATION
* THE FLIGHT: The first-ever Inaugural Sky Party will leave the
Jackson-Evers International Airport for Baltimore-Washington
International Airport on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009; the return trip is
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009. Exact times have not been set.
* THE TICKETS: Seats are limited and available for $630 roundtrip. You
can buy them online at the Mississippi Democratic Party Web site,
http://www.msdemocrats.net, or by calling toll free (888) 743-4397 from 7
a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

AVAILABLE HOTEL ROOMS
* WESTIN NATIONAL HARBOR: 171 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md.
Single and double rooms are $599 a night with a four-night minimum.
Suites are available at $2,000 a night with a four-night minimum.
* GAYLORD NATIONAL RESORT: 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md.
Single and double rooms are $659 a night with a four-night minimum.
* HOTEL LOMBARDY: 2019 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. in Washington. Single and
double rooms are $599 a night with a four-night minimum.
* MAYFLOWER: 1127 Connecticut Ave. N.W. in Washington. A one-bedroom
suite is available at $1,500 a night for a five-night minimum.
* MAKE RESERVATIONS: Rooms are limited. You can reserve a room or suite
online at the Mississippi Democratic Party Web site,
http://www.msdemocrats.net, or by calling toll free (888) 743-4397 from 7
a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Previous Comments

ID

140934

Comment

All those $$$ signs... You'd think Wall Street was back to normal.

Author

kaust

Date

2008-11-21T21:26:07-06:00