WASHINGTON — This snafu may not rise to the level of a Purple Tunnel of Doom, but President Obama’s second Inauguration has experienced one big hiccup two weeks before the ceremony.
Ticketmaster sent an apology email on Monday after “inadvertently” sending out a link to buy tickets to 2013 Inauguration events — like the official inaugural ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center — on Sunday night, a day ahead of schedule.
In the email, Ticketmaster said that “a significant number of public tickets were purchased” on Sunday night, though tickets were not scheduled to go on sale until Monday. The inaugural website indicates that ticketing is now closed for the ball, being held the evening of Jan. 21.
BuzzFeed collected the many angry (and some joking) tweets about the early ticketing.
DCist notes that at least one enterprising Craigslist seller is capitalizing on the Ticketmaster mistake, selling a pair of tickets to the official ball for $250 apiece.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee sent WTOP-FM a statement about the mistake:
On Sunday evening, Ticketmaster experienced a technical error that inadvertently caused an email to go out ahead of schedule to people who had signed up for Inaugural ticketing information with an invitation to purchase public tickets for The Inaugural Ball and the Inaugural Parade. The Ticketmaster website was overwhelmed, slowing the purchasing process. Ticketmaster has taken responsibility for this mistake.
However, a significant number of public tickets to both The Inaugural Ball and the Inaugural Parade were purchased this evening, despite the early email. This is consistent with the Presidential Inaugural Committee’s announcement that a limited number of public tickets would be available on a first come, first-served basis. Ticketmaster will be in touch with additional information on ticket sales.
Here’s the complete text of Ticketmaster’s apology:
Good evening.
During testing of our email system tonight, you may have inadvertently received an invitation to purchase tickets for 2013 Inauguration events, including the Inaugural Ball or the Inaugural Parade.
Public tickets to these events were originally scheduled to go on sale tomorrow morning – you received the email tonight in error, and Ticketmaster takes responsibility for this mistake.
However, a significant number of public tickets were purchased this evening, despite the early email. Ticketmaster will be in touch with any additional information.
All public tickets are first-come, first-served, including those sold tonight. There is no guarantee that you will be able to purchase a ticket at any time.
Thank you for your understanding.
Ticketmaster
UPDATE, 3:20 p.m.: On Monday, a petition on the White House’s “We The People” website asked for a another inaugural ball, reports the Washington City Paper:
Jilted ballgoers — all five of them who have signed the petition so far — want a second inaugural ball to be organized so they can try to buy tickets again. That may seem like a bizarre request to you, given that the inauguration is two weeks away and is not usually organized around the grievances of foiled partygoers.
Then again, you don’t know the unique pain of missing out on $60 ball tickets. “Many were left in a dust of confusion and frustration as neither Ticketmaster nor the Presidential Inaugural Committee made right on their promise—or even issue a real apology,” the petition reads.
These hopes also appear dashed. By Monday afternoon, the petition had been removed from the website; a notice said it was taken down “under our Moderation Policy because it is in violation of our Terms of Participation.”
CORRECTION, 3:55 p.m.: An earlier version of this story noted a tweet about the ticketing mishap that seemed critical of Obama. The author of that tweet emailed to clarify that his tweet was a joke.
We love to hear from readers. Get in touch with jokes, corrections or story ideas — contact us at dc-tips@huffingtonpost.com.
Still want to dress up on or around Jan. 21? Check out this slideshow of official state balls:
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Barack Obama, Michelle Obama
In this Jan. 20, 2009 file photo, President Barack Obama dances with first lady Michelle Obama at the Western Inaugural Ball in Washington. President Obama is restricting the inaugural balls to the lowest number in 60 years with just two official parties plus a concert honoring military families planned for next month. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Commander-in-Chief’s Inaugural Ball, The Inaugural Ball
Both official inaugural balls will be held at the Washington Convention Center on Monday, January 21.
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Alaska State Society Inaugural Reception
The <a href=”http://www.alaskastatesociety.org/”>Alaska State Society Inaugural Reception</a> will be on Saturday, January 19 at Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar. Tickets are $50.
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Arkansas Inaugural Gala, Nebraska Society Inaugural Brunch
The Arkansas State Society will host its <a href=”http://www.arkansas-state-society.org/gala.html”>Arkansas Inaugural Gala</a> on Sunday, January 20 at the National Press Club. Tickets range from $125 to $200.
The <a href=”http://www.nebraskasociety.org/inaug_brunch.html”>Nebraska Society Inaugural Brunch</a> will be at the National Press Club on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $45.
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Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball
The Texas State Society of Washington, D.C. will have its <a href=”https://netforum.avectra.com/eweb/StartPage.aspx?Site=tss&WebCode=HomePage”>Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball</a> at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on Saturday, January 19. Tickets range from $250 to $300.
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Delaware Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://delawarestatesociety.com/delaware-inaugural-ball-january-20-2013/comment-page-1/”>Delaware Inaugural Ball</a> will be at The Fairmont Hotel on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $410.
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Florida Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://www.floridainauguralball.com/”>Florida Inaugural Ball</a> from the Florida State Society and Florida House will be on Saturday, January 19 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.
Pictured here, from left, are Jenna Bush, Laura Bush and President George W. Bush.
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First in the Nation Celebration, Georgia Inaugural Gala
The First in the Nation Celebration from the <a href=”http://www.iowasociety.org/”>State Society of Iowa</a> will be at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Saturday, January 19. Tickets range from $75 to $135.
The Georgia Inaugural Gala from the <a href=”http://georgiastatesociety.org/”> Georgia State Society of Washington, D.C. </a> will also be at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Sunday, January 20. Tickets range from $150 to $200.
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Garden State Inaugural Gala
The <a href=”http://www.njss.org/events/detail.php?id=122″>Garden State Inaugural Gala</a> from the New Jersey State Society will be at the Washington Court Hotel on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $275.
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Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”https://www-hawaiistatesociety-org.ticketbud.com/2013ball”>Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball</a> sponsored by Hawaii State Society of Washington, D.C. will be at the Renaissance Arlington Capitol View Hotel on Sunday, January 20. Tickets range from $200 to $225.
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Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala
The <a href=”http://illinoisstatesociety.org/website/current-events/”>Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala</a> will be at the Renaissance Hotel on Saturday, January 19. Tickets are $260.
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Inaugural Fashion Show and Luncheon, Pennsylvania Inaugural Gala
The <a href=”http://www.californiastatesociety.com/events/inauguration-party/”>Inaugural Fashion Show and Luncheon</a> is being hosted by the California State Society at at The Ritz-Carlton on Saturday, January 19. Tickets are $250.
The <a href=”http://pastatesociety.com/”>Pennsylvania Inaugural Gala</a> is being hosted by the Pennsylvania State Society of Washington, D.C. at The Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $225.
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Indiana State Society Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://shop.indianasociety.org/”>Indiana State Society Inaugural Ball</a> will be at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $400.
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Kentucky Bluegrass Ball
The <a href=”http://www.kentuckysociety.org/bluegrassball.htm”>Kentucky Bluegrass Ball</a>, sponsored by the Kentucky Society of Washington, will be at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on Saturday, January 19. Tickets are $250.
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Maryland Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://www.mddems.org/inaugural”>Maryland Inaugural Ball</a>, sponsored by the Maryland Democratic Party, will be at the Gaylord National Hotel on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $225.
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Michigan Inaugural Celebration
The <a href=”http://www.mistatesociety.org/blog/2012/12/9/2013-michigan-inaugural-celebration”>Michigan Inaugural Celebration</a>, sponsored by the Michigan State Society and the Michigan Congressional Delegation, will be at the National Museum of American History on Monday, January 21. Tickets are $225.
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Minnesota State Society Inaugural Reception
The <a href=”http://www.mnstatesociety.org/obama-inauguration.html”>Minnesota State Society Inaugural Reception</a> will be at the Rayburn House Office Building on Monday, January 21.
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New Mexico Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://www.nmstatesociety.org/”>New Mexico Inaugural Ball</a>, sponsored by the New Mexico State Society, will be at the Carnegie Institution for Science on Saturday, January 19. Tickets range from $125 to $160.
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New York State Society Inaugural Gala
The <a href=”http://nyss-washdc.org/inaugural.html”>New York State Society Inaugural Gala</a> will be at The Fairmont on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $415. Part of the event proceeds will go to help the <a href=”http://nysparks.com/”>New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation</a>.
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North Carolina Society Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://www.northcarolinasociety.org/2013_Ball.php”>North Carolina Society Inaugural Ball</a> will be at the Stars and Stripes Club at the Washington Nationals Ballpark on Saturday, January 19. Tickets are $150.
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Oklahoma State Society Inaugural Gala
The <a href=”http://www.okstatesociety.org/gala.htm”>Oklahoma State Society Inaugural Gala</a> will be at Clyde’s of Gallery Place on Saturday, January 19. Tickets are $80.
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South Carolina Presidential Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://scstatesociety.org/inaugural/”>South Carolina Presidential Inaugural Ball</a>, sponsored by the South Carolina State Society, will be held on Saturday, January 20 at Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Tickets are $150.
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South Dakota State Society Inaugural Celebration
The <a href=”http://www.southdakotastatesociety.org/?p=195″>South Dakota State Society Inaugural Celebration</a> will be held at Bistro Bistro on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $100.
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Tennessee State Society Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://www.tnstatesociety.org/events.cfm”>Tennessee State Society Inaugural Ball</a> will be at The Sphinx Club on Monday, January 21. Tickets are $140 per person, $250 per couple and $475 per 4 person group.
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Vermont State Society Inaugural Reception
The <a href=”http://vtss.org/?page_id=12″>Vermont State Society Inaugural Reception</a> will be at 101 Constitution Avenue Building on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $100.
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The D.C. Metro Virgin Islands Association Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://www.viadc.org/id21.html”>D.C. Metro Virgin Islands Association Inaugural Ball</a> will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Old Town on Saturday, January 19. Tickets are $100.
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Virginia Inaugural Ball
The <a href=”http://www.vademocrats.org/virginia-inaugural-ball”>Virginia Inaugural Ball</a>, sponsored by the Democratic Party of Virginia and the Arlington County Democratic Committee, will be at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel on Sunday, January 20. Tickets are $250.
