National Mall to be open to accommodate record crowd

In a change from tradition, the entire length of the National Mall will be open to the public during the presidential inauguration, President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural committee said Thursday.

The committee has pledged to make Obama's inauguration "the most open and accessible in history," allowing those who can't get the 240,000 tickets to the swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol grounds to fill the mall.

In the past, parts of the mall have been closed off as a parade staging area. The National Park Service has said jumbo TV screens will line the mall to give overflow crowds a glimpse of Obama's swearing-in.

Park Service officials have said they're expecting at least 1 million people for the inaugural, and the city has put the number as high as 5 million.

Also Thursday, the Newseum said it plans to a warm viewing spot at the only museum located directly on the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route.

"We know not everyone coming to town is going to get an invitation to a ball," said spokeswoman Susan Bennett. "We hope we can accommodate a lot of people."

And for those planning on attending the swearing-in ceremony with kids in tow, here's the hint from the organizers: Leave the kiddies at home.

If that hint isn't enough, they suggest that "extra consideration" be taken by those planning to bring children, noting that "a vast majority of attendees will be in standing-room-only sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours."

They also helpfully point out that the swearing-in ceremony is an outdoor event "that is typically cold -- normally 37 F at noon -- and occasionally wet."

"It's like, 'No history for you, kids,'" said Greg Allen, a New York-based father of two and author of Daddytypes.com, a blog for new dads.

He said he can understand the ban against strollers because of space limitations, but no backpacks? "Maybe a man-purse?" he said hopefully.

Carole Florman, spokeswoman for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, said: "An event where you will have 1 million people is inherently kid-unfriendly. They are shorter than everyone else; they can be stepped on. Parents should think long and hard about bringing a small kid to an event with 1 million people."