PW/INAUGURAL GAINSVILLE, VA #163998 BY: MARGARET THOMAS TWP

PW/INAUGURAL GAINSVILLE, VA #163998 BY: MARGARET THOMAS TWP Rather than endure the downtown hassle of packed ballrooms and tight security checks, members of the Prince William Republican Committee organized their own 'First Inaugural Ball' at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club. 100 celebrants donned ball gowns and tuxes and danced to DJ music while a big screen television broadcast Inaugural images from Fox-5. At 9pm a hush fell over the crowd when a telephone rang for an official call from the White House. Reuben Barrales (cq) special assistant to President Bush called to congratulate the local group and received a round of enthusiastic applause. Ray and Lois Battistoni (left) and Heidi and John Stirrup (right) dance to DJ music. (All CQs) (Photo by Margaret Thomas/The The Washington Post via Getty Images)