Video by Monica McNutt/CNS-TV
NATIONAL HARBOR – Maryland’s ruling class turned out in their finest Sunday evening for the state Democratic Party’s Inaugural Ball at the Gaylord Hotel. About 1,000 attended the event, including Gov. Martin O’Malley, Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin and Reps. Donna Edwards (D-Ft. Washington) and Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville).
On the same night, the Baltimore Ravens played against the New England Patriots for the AFC championship. Edwards and Montgomery County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin watched the game, among other attendees, on one of the two televisions at the ball. Brooke Lierman, 33, showed her Ravens pride by layering a Ravens jersey over her evening dress. The Ravens defeated the Patriots, 28 to 13, for the AFC championship and a spot in the Super Bowl.
The doors opened at 8 p.m. and a brief program started at 9 p.m. Anthony Kerns from The Irish Tenors sang God Bless America, while The Spinners provided the main live entertainment for the night.
General admission tickets cost $225, while VIP tickets were $1,000.
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