Inauguration weekend in the US Nation’s Capital is filled with a party atmosphere, and the celebration of the 45th and 47th president has been no exception with 17 unofficial balls and three official balls

Washington, DC is in full swing for Donald Trump’s Inauguration. Trump is set to become the 47th President of the United States on Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but throughout the weekend, the city has been abuzz with balls, galas, and prayer breakfasts. Trump and his supporters have a lot to celebrate after their 2020 White House loss, and with all the acrimony coming from those who have tried to take and keep him down, there’s now cause for Trump supporters to celebrate.

Kentucky Bluegrass Inaugural Ball

The Commonwealth of Kentucky expressed their state culture well for their Bluegrass Inaugural Ball on Friday night at the Washington Hilton in DC. Over 1,000 people attended, including Senator Rand Paul, politicians, celebrities, Washington tastemakers, Kentuckians, friends of Kentucky, and the media.

Before the seated dinner commenced, guests were received at the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Reception, held in a lower reception level of the hotel. As guests entered the black-tie event, they were met with a sizable step-and-repeat where they could have their photos taken. Throughout the space were food stations that brought a touch of Kentucky to DC of fried catfish, fried popcorn chicken, fries and tartar sauce. There were also two bourbon and rye tasting stations of over twenty options for tasting.

One unique touch was Steve Buttleman, the bugler at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby races in Louisville. When it was time for the seated dinner, Buttleman did his renowned “Call To Post” with his bugle to alert guests that it was time to descend down to the ballroom for dinner. After the dinner, guests who purchased the option, could stay for “Dessert, Drinks, and Dancing.”

For Society membership visit: www.kentuckysocietyofwashington.com  

Patriot Stars Inaugural Gala Reception

Held at Hotel Washington, better known as the W, this ball was organized by Moms For America, and was one of the best balls in terms of garnering a sense of community. And it wasn’t the best ball because it was everything related to MAGA (Trump’s Make America Great Again movement), it was personal, it felt like home, it was welcoming, and there was a unified joy and celebration in the room on Friday night.

After guests checked in, they could take a photo at the step-and-repeat and purchase official Trump endorsed products for sale like autographed guitars by Trump, the “Fight, Fight, Fight” sculpture, and other items. Attending were Congresswoman Kat Cammack, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, former Congressman Louis Gohmert, Marla Maples, Kari Lake, Tulsi Gabbard, Sara Boulos, Tim Kennedy, Kari Lake, and many others. Talking to the stage throughout the night was Kimberly Fletcher, the Founder, President, and CEO of Moms for America who spoke about the work of mom’s in America’s schools. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also took to the stage, followed by singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood, who received the Legacy Award. He then sang his famous 1984 song “God Bless the USA,” a Trump favorite that will be performed at the Inauguration. Singer Natasha Owens took to the stage with some of her hits, and then former Congresswoman and Trump pick for director of national intelligence received the Champion of Freedom Award, and spoke on the importance of mom’s standing up for America.

Georgia Peachtree Inaugural Ball

On Saturday, the Georgia State Society hosted its Peachtree Ball at historic Union Station, where 1,200 attended. Georgia’s congressional delegation and statewide officials, as well as Trump administration nominees from the Peach States were amongst those dancing the night away. As guests arrived, they entered through large Southern pearly gates and were able to occupy themselves at various places throughout the ball. The step-and-repeat drew many attendees as they posed for photos, and the sponsored areas like the Azalea Terrace brought moments of ease and conversation throughout the night where guests could meet others in a less crowded space.

"We were thrilled to have so many Georgians join us for an unforgettable evening filled with fantastic entertainment, delicious southern cuisine, and wonderful company to celebrate our democracy and the great State of Georgia,” said Heath Wheat, president of the Georgia State Society of Washington, DC in post event notes. “I'd like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors and the Georgia State Society Inaugural Committee for making the 2025 Peachtree Ball such a tremendous success.” Sponsors ranged from Aflac, Coca-Cola, Koch Inc., Southern Company, Delta Airlines, Home Depot and many others.  

Halfway through the night Texas Country Music trio Midland took to the stage singing hits like “Burn Out.” Having a touch, a Texas in Georgia livened things up. On Sunday evening, the Texas State Society will host their inaugural ball at the Washington Hilton.

But can we talk about food? Menu items, catered by Design Cuisine included specialty cocktails like a White Peach Bellini and Bourbon Peach Smash, which by the way were beyond amazing. Hors d'oeuvres included new potatoes with caviar, steak frites, lobster maki, goat cheese and fig crostini; and on the buffet steakhouse sirloin, spicy pecan crusted chicken, and shrimp and grits were had. For dessert guests dined on lemon chess pie and flourless chocolate cake. And if that wasn’t enough, for the late-night menu Coca-Cola coke floats were made, along with Waffle House ® Waffles, and Chick-fil-A nuggets that were given out.

Guests stayed until the very end, dancing the night away and mingling with friends. For us, the Peachtree Ball was the most lively, kinesthetic, and fun balls because of the atmosphere, crowd, and energy that ball-goers brought.  

Official Hispanic Inaugural Ball 

Also, on Saturday was the Official Hispanic Inaugural Ball, an event to highlight Hispanic culture, leadership, and excellence in the political and government space. Held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in northwest DC, a renowned hotel that hosts many of the city’s high profiled events. 

As Latinos from around the US and many from South and Central America, as well as non-Latinos arrived at the hotel, VIPs and Special guests were ushered into respective receptions between two ballrooms. Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich attended the pre-gala reception as well as notable Latinos. As guests entered the reception space they were met with a step-and-repeat and Latino Wall Street ice sculpture with lite bites and a bar. A stage and band welcomed guests as they mingled before the actual ball started. The Official Hispanic Inaugural Ball is probably one of the most sought-after unofficial balls due to the numbers of people it drew. The hotel had to halt the number of people entering the reception until the fire marshal gave the go-ahead for more to enter, because there were just too many.

As the night got underway, Myrka Dellanos, an Emmy-winning journalist hosted, and performances were done by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Gusi. Senator Marco Rubio from Florida, a Trump administration nominee for US Secretary of State received the Latino Legacy Award. 

Latino Inaugural Ball

On Sunday evening, Latino leaders gathered to celebrate Donald Trump’s return to the White House at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, for the Hispanic 100 Foundation’s Latino Ball. As the ball was in full swing, DC police were closing down streets in preparation for Monday’s inauguration. Hosting the ball were Hispanic 100 and the America First Policy Institute’s Hispanic Leadership Coalition, which brought 46% support from the Hispanic community from around the US. Without a doubt, this ball was fun, energetic with Latino culture, and just overall hospitable.

Attending were presidents Javier Milei of Argentina, Santiago Peña Palacios of Paraguay, and Edmundo Gonzalez of Venezuela- who all spoke to the crowd, as well as model Amber Rose, Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Marsha Blackburn, and congressmembers Anna Paulina Luna, John Carter, Vince Fong, Mark Green, Young Kim, Greg Lopez, Cory Mills, Robert Pittenger, Andy Ogles, Rob Wittman, among many others.

“Latinos made a huge impact in the 2024 Election of President Trump, said Mario Rodriguez who is the Chairman of Hispanic 100, in event notes. “We are honored to celebrate him with the influential Latino leaders that propelled the community into a defining force for the future of America.”

“I am proud to be a part of the fabric of the Latino community in America. This celebration, and the historic results achieved by President Donald Trump among the Hispanic community, is a powerful reminder of the strength and unity we bring to this country. I am honored to serve as an honorary chair and look forward to celebrating the incredible accomplishments of our community,” said Jenny Korn, former White House Deputy Assistant to President Trump.

Event Chairs, former Small Business Administrator and U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza and Elisa Slider helped make the night a success, along with honorary event chairs include Bob Unanue, President and CEO of Goya Foods; Maximo Alvarez, President of Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc. Speaking of food, there were tables stationed throughout the ball like “Taco Tuesday” and paella, where people could fix their taco anyway they preferred.