Mmmm! Some Inauguration Niblets

Tickets for the Texas inaugural bash are so hot that they are selling on ebay for up to $7,000 a pair, more than twice the regular ticket price. The door prize is a "Texas Cadillac," otherwise known as a Chevy Surburban.

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The St. Regis is offering a $100,000 inaugural package for four, which includes the two-bedroom presidential suite, a private dinner party, gifts from Tiffany and Neiman Marcus, a day at a beauty spa, champagne and caviar, and limo service.

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The Ritz-Carlton is weighing in with a $150,000 four-night presidential package. Perks include a valet who will pack all the luggage from home into a $20,000 Louis Vuitton gift set, a private jet flight from anywhere in the U.S. to Washington, and a chauffeur and butler on hand 24 hours a day. The hotel also promises to care for any pet — elephants included. "It's over the top," laughed Colleen Evan, director of p.r. for the hotel. "It's the '80s all over again."

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The Four Seasons has staffed up for picky inaugural guests: 16 massage therapists, 20 laundry pressers, four manicurists, two seamstresses and one bow tie-er

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No need to travel to Washington for souvenirs: A three-piece bronze, silver and 14-karat gold medallion bearing Bush's face in relief is available over the Internet at www.inauguralgift-shop.com. A snip at a mere $995. Also available: a coaster set, cuff links, paperweights and shot glasses all bearing the inaugural seal.

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Guests at the Texas state party are expected to consume 7,000 pounds of beef brisket; 60,000 pieces of jumbo shrimp; 6,000 pounds of smoked ham; 100,000 hot hors d'oeuvres; 5,000 pounds of chicken, beef and shrimp; 40,000 pastries; 1,200 pounds of peach cobbler.

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Local police are expecting the largest turnout of protesters at an inauguration since Nixon's in 1973, when up to 100,000 people marched against the Vietnam War. Law enforcement is mobilizing more than 7,000 officers and agents in addition to most of the Secret Service.