The presidential inauguration, technically, is just a formality, a ceremony for the nation's commander in chief to swear to uphold and protect the Constitution.

But for many Americans, this inauguration is something more; something profound, historic and transcendent. For a teenage artist from Encinitas, it's a rewarding victory for a first-time voter. For a retired congressman in Ramona, it's a renewal of inspiration unlike any he's seen in his long career.

And for Temecula business owner Grey Frandsen, 30, the inauguration means a new beginning.

"It's going to be very special," he said about attending Tuesday's swearing-in of Barack Obama as the nation's first black president. "I'm normally not one to get teary-eyed or misty about these kinds of historical events, but in my mind, this is a fundamental shift in the direction of our country. It starts that day."

Hundreds of residents from North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County will be among a crowd that is estimated to exceed 2.5 million. A lucky few got their tickets from their local congressional representatives. Some are former members of Congress themselves, entitled to a lifetime of inauguration tickets allowing special access. Only a few of those holding tickets have actual seats. Most will simply stand on the National Mall and watch the ceremony projected onto screens.

While in his 20s, Frandsen, now chief executive officer for Magnolia Pool and Spa Supply, was foreign policy adviser to Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and in 2003 became special assistant for the chief of staff for the U.S. Secretary of State's Office of Reconstruction and Stabilization. Last year, he ran for a state Assembly seat in District 66.

Although he goes back to Washington, D.C., four times a year, he sees next week's trip as something special.

"Why go to D.C. on probably the most chaotic day ever?" he said. "Quite honestly, it's going to be amazing to be part of it and be there."

Frandsen sees the inauguration as the party before the country gets down to work. "This is our chance to celebrate and kick off the change in direction."

'A turning point'

For Carlsbad resident Carla Mays, 33, going to the inauguration will be the culmination of countless hours of campaigning for her candidate.

"It's definitely a turning point in America," she said. "For me, as a young black woman looking at this, it just means that no longer is race an issue. I wouldn't say it's totally gone away, but that glass ceiling has been more than cracked."

Mays was an Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention last year and formed Orange County and San Diego Military and Veterans for Obama. With a father, grandfather and now a sister who have served in the U.S. Army, Mays has a personal connection with the military.

She has two tickets to the inauguration, but as of Monday was considering not attending because she wanted to take local members of Blue Star Military Families and so far had not found tickets for them. She hoped to find tickets within the week as well as sponsors to help pay expenses.

"Going without them is not something I really want to do, so I'm conflicted at this point," she said.

Del Mar attorney Joe Huser, 31, a former president of the San Diego County Young Democrats Club, does plan to attend the inauguration.

"I just have to see it," he said. "I've been working to bring about an end to the policies of this administration for about six years, and to finally win is incredible."

Huser was a staff member for the Howard Dean for President campaign in 2004 and said he was very opposed to the war in Iraq.

"Finally, we can start the 21st century," he said of the upcoming inauguration.

'It's part of history'

Encinitas resident Faith Lindley, 19, voted in her first presidential election in November and is excited about her upcoming trip to Washington to witness the inauguration.

"Oh my God," she said, anticipating the trip. "It's part of history. I still am pinching myself."

Lindley is an art student at Studio 2nd Street in Encinitas and specializes in portraits. Her painting of Obama was reproduced and distributed as posters during the Jan. 10 Blue Skies Over San Diego party held by the Democratic Club of San Diego at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Her original painting was auctioned for $1,000, with half the money going to the club and the other half helping pay Lindley's travel expenses.

"Before I started painting him, I was really nervous," she said. "It was tough at times, because I wanted it to be the best painting I've ever done."

Lindley said she had little experience with elections or politicians before, but felt inspired by Obama.

"I don't think I'd feel as motivated for anybody else," she said.

Lindley has never been to Washington, D.C., and said she's looking forward to seeing the Presidential Portrait Gallery.

Ramona resident and former Rep. Jim Bates said he does not always attend presidential inaugurations, though as a former congressman he is entitled to two tickets to each one for the rest of his life. But Bates, 67, a Democrat who represented the 44th Congressional District from 1982 to 1990, said he plans to attend this one.

"I've waited a lifetime for a president like Barack Obama," he said. "I think his greatest gift is his inspiration, and no president has ever inspired me."

'An emotional day'

Betty McMillion, 69, of Beaumont in Riverside County said attending the inauguration will be the payoff of months of work for the Obama campaign from the office of one of the Democratic Party headquarters in Riverside County.

"I was at the office every single day for the past six months, and the reason was for Riverside County to turn blue," she said, referring to the color commonly associated with Democrats. "And I'm proud to tell you, Riverside did vote for Obama."

McMillion first worked as a teenager on the campaign for Adlai Stevenson, the Democratic nominee for president in 1952 and 1956, and campaigned for John and Robert Kennedy, but became less politically active after the brothers' assassinations. The controversy surrounding the Bush/Gore election reignited her interest, and this year she has tickets to the inauguration because she is a member of the Electoral College.

"It will be a very emotional day," she said of the inauguration. "It's like the fulfillment of a dream."

Francine Busby, an Encinitas Democrat who twice ran for the 50th Congressional District seat, said she received her inauguration ticket from Rep. Brian Bilbray, who defeated her in 2006.

"He said, 'You've worked very hard for this, and I'd like to offer you a ticket,' " she said, adding she had not asked for it because she wasn't sure she was going to attend the ceremony, though she had planned to be in Washington that week.

With her ticket secured, Busby said she is looking forward to the event.

"I worked for five years for change in this country and this administration, and this is a culmination of what I've done," she said. "It's going to be a historic event, and I wanted to make sure I was there for it."

Busby sees the inauguration as "a huge sea change to put our country back on track," she said. "He has huge challenges that this administration has created and is leaving him to clean up."

She also sees Obama as being in the mold of presidents like Roosevelt or Lincoln, who took office at times of national crisis.

"This (economic) crisis does give the Barack Obama administration an opportunity to be one of the most effective and transformational presidents in our history," she said.

While looking forward to witnessing the event, Busby is not eager to face the massive crowds and cold weather predicted. Commuter trains heading into town are expected to be full by the time they get to her stop, and Busby said she has been advised that her best option may be to walk the four miles from her hotel to the ceremony.

Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com.