What should/can I bring to the inauguration?

January 11, 2009 8:13 PM

OK, I have tickets to the swearing in ceremonies (WOOHOO) on Jan 20th. It will be me and my mom, we plan on being there from 800ish (security gates open at 900 until...5,6,7pm when ever we are able to get home. All the info on what is allowed/prohibited says about food & drink is that they are allowing "small snacks". What are some good suggestions that I can pack in my cargo pockets to take?
posted by ShawnString to grab bag (8 comments total)

my default is going to be some Clif bars, but I was hoping for something else too.
posted by ShawnString at 8:18 PM on January 11, 2009

Bicyclists will tell you that the highest energy density snacks (small and light yet providing sustenance) have some form of OIL. Nuts, for example. There was an AskMefi about that here once, in fact ... can't find it right now, but you'll find useful info here.
posted by intermod at 8:30 PM on January 11, 2009

The e-mail I just received from my senator's office says the security gates will open at 8:00.
posted by HotToddy at 8:35 PM on January 11, 2009

Clif builder bars, some cheese, and a small tin of nuts...I can live on those.
posted by notsnot at 8:35 PM on January 11, 2009

bag of m&m's, jar of mixed nuts, box of raisins. mix together. enjoy. split into little ziploc baggies if you need them to be "small snacks"

string cheese is a goo one too. or slice up some other cheese and bring a baggie or small tupperware with crackers
posted by silkygreenbelly at 8:39 PM on January 11, 2009

I suggest granola. I have a recipe that'll blow your mind (MeFiMail me). Also, plantain chips --really filling, nutritious, and so delicious.
posted by uhom at 9:02 PM on January 11, 2009

silkygreenbelly beat me to it. I call that mix GORP, and large bags of it have seen me through multiple marches on Washington, working the book tent at a poetry festival, and more than one gaming convention. If you want vaguely healthier, you could do almonds and dark chocolate chips instead of the peanuts and M&Ms. The M&Ms are a better choice in warm weather since they won't melt like chips will. If lots of fiber just fills you up, and doesn't give you the runs, throw some Fiber One cereal in there. It's slightly sweet, will give some crunch, and help fill you up. Also, I can specifically recommend the Chocolate Mint Clif Builder Bars (20g of protein apiece). Mighty tasty.

They might well be frowning on excessively packaged cheese, so your best bet will probably be a hunk of something in a baggie. Make sure it's pre-sliced, if that matters to you, since I'm sure even a small plastic knife won't be getting through security.
posted by booksherpa at 9:05 PM on January 11, 2009

I would suggest not bringing anything packed in foil or metal. That way, you can just leave the items in your pockets, and not have to deal with digging them out once the metal detector goes off. If you do have metal-packed items, put them in a clear baggie all together, like you would with your liquid items at the airport. Go ahead and throw your keys and cell phone in there, too. I go through a metal detector every day at work, and this is a tired-and-true method for getting though security with no hassles.
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:04 AM on January 12, 2009