Atlanta takes in Obama inauguration

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Atlanta takes in Obama inauguration

Local Atlantans took part in the Obama inauguration in a variety of ways, including gathering at Centennial Olympic Park to watch the ceremony on big screen televisions.

Khaliph West, of Atlanta, brought with him a U.S. flag that belonged to his World War II veteran grandfather to the inaugural gathering at Centennial Olympic Park. After Obama took the Oath of Office, West raised the flag high and cheered the historic moment with all his might.

Helen Amos dances with joy after watching the historic inauguration of Barack Obama at the Dogwood Neighborhood Senior Center in Atlanta.

Jonna Brusseau cheers like she has just won the lottery at the conclusion of President Barack Obama's speech at a presidential inaugural viewing gathering at Centennial Olympic Park. While Brusseau was cheering, her friends, Kiona Fisher (left, in green) and Toya Caldwewll (in black vest) embrace at the historic moment. Thousands turned out for the event.

Eighty six year-old Doris Freeman prays before watching the historic inauguration of Barack Obama at the Dogwood Neighborhood Senior Center in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 20th.

William Cutts (left), standing in for President Barack Obama, holds his hand up as he takes the oath of office from Sabrina Wu (right) standing in for U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, as students at Chesney Elementary School in Duluth staged their own presidential swearing-in ceremony prior to the real thing Tuesday morning Jan. 20, 2009.

Siblings Judah Shoates, 8, (left) Daneila Shoates (center), 10, and Daniel Shoates (with Obama shirt), 10, try to stay warm while watching the inauguration of President Barack Obama at an inaugural gathering at Centennial Olympic Park. Thousands turned out for the event. The kids' mother, Kateesha Shoates-Johnson (in background in red head cover), said she brought her children to the event, because she "wanted them to be a part of history."

Atlantan Randy Jamison wore his favorite Obama T-shirt to the inaugural gathering at Centennial Olympic Park.

Tykira Williams, a 2nd grader, walks in the parade inside Capitol View Elementary School in Atlanta. Each grade level made a banner representing different aspects of Barack Obama's life to display in this indoor parade. It was scheduled to be outside, but due to cold weather, was moved indoors.

Sassc Shakoor (right) comforts her friend Ann Gardner (center) as Gardner bursts into tears as they watch the historic inauguration of Barack Obama at the Torch theater in Lithonia.

Emory University students at Harland Cinema celebrate as President Barack Obama takes the oath of office.

Crystal Azu (in gray), a junior at Emory University, works on homework while waiting for the presidential inauguration to begin in Harland Cinema on the university campus. Azu is from the Washington, D.C., area.

Kaela Davis, an 8th grader at Greater Atlanta Christian School, watches the inauguration of the 44th U.S president.

Students of Greater Atlanta Christian School watch the inauguration of the 44th American President, Barack Obama in the school's new Long Forum.

Justin Mercado, an 8th grader at Greater Atlanta Christian School, watches the inauguration of the 44th American President, Barack Obama with classmates Keenan Blakeney, left, and Phillip Moore. Junior high students watched the inauguration on two 13 by 23 feet video monitors in the school's new Long Forum.

Barber Scott Echols cuts the hair of customer Dave Ramsey at Good Phellaz Barber Shop on Peachtree Street. Ramsey said he remembers Walters Shoe store in Atlanta being the only store where black people could use the front door.

Myles Truitt, 6, wipes the tears of his mother, Danielle Truitt, as they watch the historic inauguration of Barack Obama at the Torch Theater in Lithonia.

Student Council President Michael Allison gives a mock inaugural address to the assembled "ballroom" as students at Norcross Elementary School in Norcross celebrated the presidential inauguration with their own inaugural ball.

Student Emma McCullough at her table as fifth graders at Norcross Elementary School in Norcross celebrated the presidential inauguration with their own inaugural ball.

Lois Osei, a second grade student, wears a Barack Obama T-shirt of a Time Magazine cover purchased for her by her father as she waves the American flag as students at Chesney Elementary School in Duluth staged their own presidential swearing-in ceremony.

William Cutts (foreground), playing the role of President Barack Obama, gives his inaugural address as Selena Bounyavong (at left background), playing the role of Michelle Obama, listens as students at Chesney Elementary School in Duluth staged their own presidential swearing-in ceremony prior to the real thing Tuesday morning Jan. 20, 2009.

Marshall Williams, from Atlanta's West End, has been selling buttons for $2 to $3 around Five Points and Centennial Olympic Park. He said he'd sold about 150 buttons by about 1 p.m. on inauguration day. The best seller? Obama featured with his family -- the one he's sporting on his hat.

Jason Detwiler, with Upstage video, prepares one of two 9 foot by 12 foot screens that will show the Obama inauguration at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. A larger screen will also be available for viewing.

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Khaliph West, of Atlanta, brought with him a U.S. flag that belonged to his World War II veteran grandfather to the inaugural gathering at Centennial Olympic Park. After Obama took the Oath of Office, West raised the flag high and cheered the historic moment with all his might.

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