Obama's Inauguration in Modesto: Plenty to do

If you can’t make it to the inauguration of Obama, downtown Modesto might be the next best place to get a feel for the big day. The State Theatre will host inauguration ceremonies at its Inaugural Gala Event starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, and the Gallo Center for the Arts will host the Community Inaugural Ball at 7:30 p.m. The nearby Fat Cat Music House, along with Tresetti’s World Caffe, Clayton’s and the Barkin’ Dog Grill, also will get in the spirit, offering a place to party and special inauguration dinners. The event at the State Theatre begins with hors d’oeuvres and music at 5 p.m., with the ceremony beginning 45 minutes later with the presentation of colors. There will be guest speakers, including Modesto City Council member Garrad Marsh and Ruby Kennedy of the Women’s Auxilliary. Among the other speakers will be Michael Burtch of the Stanislaus County Democratic Central Committee and Frank Johnson, vice president of the NAACP/Modesto-Stanislaus. Then, on the theater’s big screen, attendees can watch the swearing-in ceremony and the inaugural address from earlier in the day. At 7:30 p.m. at the Gallo center’s ball, people will be able to dance to live music, enjoy refreshments and watch televised events from Washington, D.C. Tickets for the State Theatre event is $10 for general admission and $5 for students and children 12 and under. Tickets for the Gallo event are $20, but that can also get you into the State Theatre event for free. In addition, the Fat Cat Music House will have an Obama Party, which goes from 6 p.m.-2 a.m., and include live music and a projection screen TV. Cost is $5 or for free if you have a ticket to the State Theatre event. Meanwhile, Tresetti’s and Clayton's will offer a special inaugural menu, and the Barkin’ Dog will have music and dining with no cover charge.