Area Businesses to Host Inauguration Viewing Parties

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Updated: 8:58 AM Jan 19, 2009 Area Businesses to Host Inauguration Viewing Parties 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. Posted: 7:29 AM Jan 19, 2009 Reporter: Jennifer Black Email Address: jennifer.black@wcav.tv

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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.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Eric Location: Charlottesville on Jan 20, 2009 at 01:03 PM

Wow, Chris. So very bitter, huh? I'm an alum, too, and I can't imagine the University not suspending classes for the inauguration. I hope you can get over the obvious deep hatred in your heart.

Posted by: Chris Location: Charlottesville on Jan 19, 2009 at 06:22 PM

Is this a first for UVA.? I would love to know if my alma mater only breaks for ethnic presidential inaugurations. It will make my donation decisions a bit easier. Oh, and here is a thought: some people may actually not watch at all. From your extensive, exhaustive and one-sided coverage, it doesn't sound like you have considered that option at all. I see no stories about conservatives and the millions of folks who didn't vote for Mr. Obama and what they plan to do on Tuesday. In fact, you wrote similar stories 4 years ago about President Bush's detractors.

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