Inaugural Balls

First Lady Laura Bush wore an outfit by Texas designer Michael Faircloth.
Inaugural Gown "Form fitting, scoop-neck long-sleeve gown with gentle sweep towards hem.  Red chantilly lace (Solstiss) re-embroidered with hand-beading of Austrian crystals (artistic hand-beading underlayed double silk georgette)."
Accessories Red satin evening clutch with hand beading designed by Judith Leiber.

Red satin pumps from Stuart Weitzman.



There were eight official inaugural balls.  Somewhat less than 50,000 tickets, costing $125 apiece, were sold.  The events ran from 7:00 pm - 1:00 am.

New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania  [capacity: 5,500]
Celebrity Emcees - Nell Carter (singer, actress) and Chuck Norris (actor, martial arts expert)
Musical Guests - Gene Donati Orchestra and Escapade
Location: Union Station 
 

Alaska, Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan  [capacity: 4,500]
Celebrity Emcees - Gerald McRaney (actor) and Delta Burke (actress)
Musical Guests - The Pat Dorn Orchestra and High Society
Location: Washington Hilton 
 

Texas and Wyoming  [capacity: 12,000]
Celebrity Emcees - Kelsey Grammer (actor, singer) and Dixie Carter (actress, singer)
Musical Guests - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Big Time and Mr. Fabulous
Location - Washington Convention Center - Blue (9th Street Entrance) 
 

Ohio [capacity: 4,500]
Celebrity Emcees - Drew Carey (comedian) and Linda Davis (country western singer)
Musical Guests - The Guy Lombardo Orchestra and The Pictures
Location - Washington Convention Center - Red (H Street Entrance) 
 

Florida [capacity: 2,400]
Celebrity Emcees - Larry Gatlin (country singer) and Candace Rodatz (Miss Florida)
Musical Guests - New Society Orchestra
Location: National Building Museum (Pension Building)
 

Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Washington  [capacity: 9,000]
Celebrity Emcees: Rick Schroeder (actor) and Jaclyn Smith (actress)
Musical Guests: Night Coach Orchestra and The Fabulous Fantoms
Location: D.C. Armory
 

Arizona, California, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Utah  [capacity: 3,500]
Celebrity Emcees: Meat Loaf (singer, actor) and Marie Osmond (singer, talk show host)
Musical Guests: The Dennis Samsa Orchestra and Kaleidoscope
Location: Ronald Reagan Building
 

Arkansas, American Samoa, Connecticut, Georgia, Guam, Indiana, Maine,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, West Virginia, Wisconsin   [capacity: 4,500]
Celebrity Emcee: Wayne Newton (singer) 
Musical Guests: Jerry Barnett Orchestra
Location: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
 
 

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