Hargrove Inc. has been building the inaugural floats since 1949.
It will take about 3,000 man hours to construct the eight floats in this year's inaugural parade. The second inauguration of President Barack Obama will be Jan. 21. "We started with Truman 1949," Earl Hargrove Jr., founder of Hargrove Inc., said. "That was the first one and we've been involved in every one since." Hargrove is a trade show, special event and custom exhibit company based in Md. "Each president gives us a theme," said Fred Strickland, executive director of production at Hargrove. The 2013 parade will include eight custom-designed floats commissioned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. "Four floats will represent the First Family and Second Family’s home states, and four floats will honor the extraordinary progress we’…
The 16-time Grammy winner will be accompanied by The President's Own U.S. Marine Band. Other performers include Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor.
Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor will perform at the inauguration, on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Jan. 21, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced. Beyoncé will sing the National Anthem, Kelly Clarkson will perform “My Country Tis of Thee,” and James Taylor will sing “America the Beautiful.” "When we work with guest artists we coordinate with them and their music directors to get a sense of what they are hoping for in their presentation, and what's their best key," Col. Michael J. Colburn, director of The President's Own, said. U.S. Marine Band Staff Sergeant Ryan Nowlin is arranging the selections to be sung by Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson, with Marine Band accompaniment, Colburn said. President Obama was …
