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The 54 drill team members leave on Friday to Washington, D.C., and ABC7's Theresa Gutierrez has their story.
The drill team was unable to attend President Barack Obama's first inauguration because of lack of funds. This time they were able to raise the money to attend.
"We are very excited. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said drill team instructor William Miller.
Jeffrey Lovette has been with the drill team for 13 years. The drill team performs at more than 120 parades and special events each year.
"My grandmother told me, if Obama became president the team would be performing. It is a dream come true," said Lovette.
"This is very important, the president representing our hometown. I am very excited to do this," said drill team instructor Christopher Cotton.
Another group from Chicago attending the inauguration is Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago. They will be performing Saturday during the kids' inaugural concert.
Seventeen 7th and 8th grade students from Alcott College Prep on the North Side will also be going to D.C. to experience the inauguration.
Alcott teacher Jenny Vincent has been teaching the students all about the electoral process and learning about the Constitution.
"President Obama is our president. He is from Chicago. In their lifetime, they will probably never be able to experience something like this," said Vincent.
"It is very exciting, and I cannot wait," said student Caroline Adams. "It probably is never going to happen again."
ABC7's Cheryl Burton, Charles Thomas and Jason Knowles will all be in Washington, D.C. to cover the inauguration. Their live reports begin Sunday morning on ABC7.
