January 19, 2009

Where were you when the 44th President was sworn-in? That's a question some local businesses hope to have your answer to.

“It's a day that's going to come once in our life times. It’s a day that everybody in the country is going to be watching,” said Boyland Heights bartender, Adam Gottschalk.

To help bring the 44th Presidential Inauguration a little closer to Charlottesville, restaurants and businesses around the city are opening their doors to the public for viewing parties.

“When you talk about 2 million people going to Washington, D.C. there's a lot of people in Charlottesville who wish they were in the crowd,” said Gottschalk.

While it may not be the National Mall, Boyland Heights is still offering a pretty good view.

“We have a 50-inch big screen behind us which is a projection HD television, but every single one of this will be on the inauguration,” said Gottschalk.

Boylan Heights isn't the only place in Charlottesville hosting a viewing party.

“We're here for anything important. Whether it be political events, sporting events or birthday parties,” said Kiersten Kaufman.

Wild Wing Café will show the inauguration on the café's 30 plus TV's.

“We have three big screens. This is of course our 20 ft. big screen, it's our pride and joy and we have two other nice large ones and a bunch of other small ones around,” said Kaufman.

Businesses say whether you decide to watch if from home or out with others, it's a moment you will always remember.

“No matter what you do you’re going to remember it for the rest of your life, and we like to provide the opportunity for people to watch with their friends,” said Gottschalk.

UVa has suspended classes Tuesday from 11am to 2pm. Students and faculty are invited to watch live coverage of the swearing in ceremony at the John Paul Jones Arena.

5,000 seats in the arena will be open for the public on a first come first serve basis. The doors to JPJA will open at 10:30am Tuesday morning.