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, 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.”

BREAKOUT BOXES

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, 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, 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.

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