The theme for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration is "Restoring America's Promise," highlighting the new administration's mission to restore opportunity and possibility for all Americans.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee has been releasing details about the inaugural ceremonies. In keeping with the theme, the schedule is all about public participation. On the calendar:

Saturday, Jan. 17:

President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will participate in a Whistle Stop Tour by train, starting in Philadelphia and stopping in Wilmington, Del., and Baltimore before arriving in Washington, D.C. Authorities are expecting that hundreds of thousands of people will watch the train pass from overpasses, stations and other locations.

Sunday, Jan. 18:

President-elect Barack Obama will kick off the schedule of official inaugural activities in Washington, D.C., with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon. The event will be free and open to the public.

Monday, Jan. 19 -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

In honor of the great memory of Dr. King, the president-elect and vice president-elect and their families will participate in community service activities in Washington, D.C., area and encourage the public to join them.

In the evening, there will be a concert at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. Although it is free and open to the public, tickets are required.

Tuesday, Jan. 20 -- Inauguration Day:

The president-elect and vice president-elect will participate in the traditional inaugural ceremonies and events. For the first time ever, the length of the National Mall will be open to those wishing to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Festivities will commence at 10 a.m. EST on the west front of the U.S. Capitol and will include:

• Musical Selections: The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
• Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein
• Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
• Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin
• Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens
• Musical Selection: John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)
• At approximately 12 p.m. EST, President-elect Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
• At approximately 12:05 p.m. EST, Obama will deliver his Inaugural Address.
• Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
• Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
• The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”
• After Obama gives his Inaugural Address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall. More Details
• Starting at about 2 p.m. EST, the 56th inaugural parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House with groups traveling from all over the country to participate.
• In the evening, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official Inaugural Balls, including:
  • Youth Inaugural Ball – Young Americans aged 18-35; Washington Hilton
  • Obama Home States Inaugural Ball – Illinois and Hawaii invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Biden Home States Inaugural Ball –Delaware and Pennsylvania invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Eastern Inaugural Ball - CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, PR, and USVI invited guests; Union Station
  • Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball - MD, VA, DC, NY, NJ, WV, Dems Abroad, and invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Midwest Inaugural Ball - KS, IN, IA, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI, and MO invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Southern Inaugural Ball - AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, and TX invited guests; National Guard Armory
  • Western Inaugural Ball - AK, CA, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY, AZ, CO, NV, NM, UT, OK, GUAM/AS invited guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Neighborhood Inaugural Ball – DC residents, additional guests; Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  • Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball – Enlisted active duty and reserve military; National Building Museum

Wednesday, Jan. 21:

The newly inaugurated president and vice president of the United States will participate in a prayer service.