The American Fork Marching Band, Utah's only representative in the inaugural parade, is faced with the daunting task of raising $157,000 to attend. As of Saturday, they were still $54,000 short.

Martin Lewis, chairman of the award-winning band's fund-raising effort, said the community has been supportive. "It's a daunting task to raise that amount of money in three weeks," Lewis said.

"It's been amazing to see the contributions. It's going to take a statewide effort to get the rest of the way, but we're optimistic. What we don't want to do is have to go back to the kids for the rest."

The best opportunity for most people to participate in the inaugural events is the parade, inaugural officials say. The parade features bands and other fanfare along a 1.7 mile-route from Capitol Hill to the White House where an estimated half million people will watch.

The parade of 11,000 participants, floats, horses and vehicles will begin about 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, and it lasts two hours. Bleacher seats are available from the Presidential Inaugural Committee for $15, $60 and $125.

Many of the Utah tickets to the various events have gone to expatriates who are living and working in the D.C. area, Parker said.

"Those coming from Utah, recognize that for many of them, it can be a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend a presidential event like this for a president they support so much," he said. "There is definitely still excitement surrounding President Bush and his successful re-election."

If you can't get tickets to the main events, there are still dozens of private receptions if you know the right people. And there are a handful of receptions sponsored by politicos.

For example, Bennett, Hatch and members of delegations from other Western states will sponsor a reception on inauguration morning at a Senate office building.

Attendees without tickets to the inauguration can stay at the party and watch the inauguration on television, said Bennett spokeswoman Mary Jane Collipriest.

Those hoping against hope they can still snag tickets to the balls can call a ticket hotline at 1-202-314-2600 or visit the inaugural Web site at www.inaugural05.com.

But be forewarned, the demand for tickets is so overwhelming that organizers, who are still trying to sort out what tickets remain, say it could be an exercise in frustration.

Same goes for the inauguration.

"We get about 400 tickets to give out, and most of those tickets have already been claimed by folks who have called in," said Adam Elggren, spokesman for Hatch. "Be careful about how you report this so we don't have a ton of people calling in, most of whom will be disappointed."

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E-mail: spang@desnews.com