Local residents celebrate inauguration

SANDPOINT — On one of the nation’s most historic days, hundreds of area residents gathered to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as America’s 44th president.

Approximately 300 revelers flooded into the Panida Theater to watch the Tuesday morning ceremony, despite the fact the event was planned less than 24 hours in advance.

Karen Bowers, Panida’s executive director, was delighted and surprised by the high turnout, which she said created a palpable energy in the theater.

“You have to share it with somebody,” Bowers said of the ceremony. “It’s great to share it with a small clique of friends or family — I’m not putting that down at all — but to actually share it with that many people from the community, it really (amplified) the experience,” Bower said.

Like Bowers, Sandpoint’s Gary Payton was interested in sharing the monumental occasion with his community, and he said the ceremony was everything he expected it to be.

“It was such a joyous celebration,” Payton said.

A second gathering, organized by Sandpoint resident Amy Flint, was held Tuesday evening at Tango Cafe. More than 100 people escaped the chilly weather to celebrate Obama’s inauguration.

Like the Panida event, Tuesday night’s party was planned just days before the inauguration, which made the high turnout even more surprising, Flint said.

A longtime Obama supporter, Flint said she was moved and inspired by the new president’s inaugural address, specifically a line he said about welcoming in those that who oppose him or America.

“When he said we would extend a hand if people were willing to unclench their fist, that was amazing,” Flint said.

It was fitting that a spontaneously-organized party would have its own moments of spontaneity, as was the case when one attendee gave an impromptu toast to the evening.

“Raise your glasses to Barack Obama and to the next four years,” she said, immediately adding, “I mean eight years,” which drew a round of applause from the crowd.