The inaugural parties are here

WASHINGTON, D.C., is bracing for the biggest crowd ever to witness a presidential inauguration. Barack Obama will be sworn in at noon tomorrow, and the nation's capital will rock through the weekend with parades, balls and other celebrations.

But you don't have to cross the Beltway for inaugural action. There's plenty right here.

Philadelphia has hosted two inaugurations - George Washington's second term in 1793 and John Adams in 1797. Adams' inaugural ceremony will be re-enacted at Congress Hall (6th and Chestnut streets) at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. tomorrow in

Independence National Historic Park

(1-800-537-1776,

» READ MORE: www.nps.gov/inde

; free).

_ Witness history in the making as Obama's swearing-in ceremony is broadcast on a 25-foot-tall JumboTron screen on the Independence National Historic Park Visitor Center lawn (bordered by 5th, 6th, Market and Arch streets) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Close your eyes, try to feel your frozen toes, and you'll think you're in Washington!

For a warmer perspective, head inside to the Visitor Center's second-floor ballroom. Grab a Philly Presidential Pass while you're there for a 10 percent discount at attractions throughout the historic district. The pass is good today and tomorrow.

_ The National Constitution Center (525 Arch St., 215-409-6600, http://constitution center.org; general museum admission is $12 adults and $8 ages 4-12; with "America I AM," $17.50 and $9) has a new exhibit, "America I AM: The African American Imprint," illustrating 400 years of African-American history through an extraordinary collection of artifacts. Among them, the typewritten, autographed pages of Obama's landmark speech on race, given in Philadelphia last March 18.

The exhibit continues through May 3. Tomorrow's events include live inauguration broadcasts and special programs such as "Address America: Six Words to Inspire a Nation" and "From Revolution to Evolution" (10:30 a.m.).

_ At sites throughout the historic district, you can get your picture taken with Obama (well, a cutout of him) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, or take part in a scavenger hunt that begins under the "We the People" wall at the Constitution Center.

_ Celebrate our 44th president with two events tomorrow at the African American Museum in Philadelphia (701 Arch St., 215-574-0380, www.aamp

museum.org).

Stop by the museum from noon to 2 p.m. to watch the ceremonies for free. Come back from 6 to 9 p.m. for the After-work Inauguration Watch Party, with a re-broadcast and discussion of the inauguration, music, gifts and more ($40).

Black-tie to Hawaiian lei - Philly's getting the party started for Barack Obama. A few we've heard about:

_ The Clef Club (738 S. Broad St., www.clefclub.org) will have food, live music and more from 7 p.m. to midnight tomorrow.

"It's going to be the place to be on Tuesday if you're not in D.C.," promised Shuna Miah, the club's managing director. Tickets are $20 and they're going fast. RSVP at 215-893-9912.

_ Proud Neighbor magazine is sponsoring The Philadelphia People's Inaugural Celebration from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. tomorrow at First District Plaza, 3801 Market St. Enjoy the smooth sounds of the Urban Guerilla Orchestra, complimentary champagne, wine and light fare. Tickets are $50 at the door, or at 267-287-8121, 1-866-673-1284, www.anewphilly.com.

_ The Philadelphia Inaugural Ball at Temptations Banquet Facility (220 W. Chelten Ave.) offers an affordably elegant option - five-course dinner and a jazz band plus oldies and R&B music. Temptations owner Dennis Thompson and friends are sponsoring the black-tie affair. $50; RSVP at 267-879-4603 or 215-760-6486.

_ Restaurateur KeVen Parker will devote all five floors of his Ms. Tootsie's Restaurant Bar Lounge (1312 South St., 215-985-9001, www.kevenparker.net) to inaugural revelry, starting with a happy hour, 5-7 p.m., featuring Obama-tinis. A soul-food buffet and DJ music start at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress stylishly - and sport their best Obama gear!

_ Obama's from Hawaii, so you could head to McGillin's Olde Ale House (13th and Juniper, 215-735-5562) for a luau from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. tomorrow. While eight high-def TVs show inaugural events, revelers can enjoy a tropical cocktail or snack. Philly's oldest continually operating tavern, McGillin's opened in 1860, the year Abe Lincoln was elected.

_ As the 44th president takes office, why not head to Local 44, a new brewpub at - where else? - 44th and Spruce streets that comes highly recommended by the Daily News' beer reporter, Joe Sixpack.

_ Other venues with plans to party include Old City's the Plough and the Stars and ZOT, Mount Airy's North By Northwest, and Upper Darby's Traxx Sports Bar & Grill.

There will be many live Internet streams of the inauguration ceremonies, but perhaps none more official than

inaugural.senate.gov

, direct from the U.S. Senate.

Of course, philly.com will carry live reports, video, photo galleries and blogs that will put you everywhere, from the buses to the balls, in D.C. and around the Delaware Valley. There's a place to share your thoughts, too.

Maybe it's a signal of the new administration's sensitivity to our struggling economy that inaugural commemoration goodies were already marked down last week at

www.democrathq.com

. Grab some

24 karat gold-plated cuff links

for $34.90 ($5 off!).

_ Customize a commemorative hat or T-shirt with your own message at www.zazzle.com.

_ A Barack Obama "44th President" winter beanie, a 6.1-foot Obama cutout and 6-inch Obama action figure, among other things, at www.amazon.com/inauguration.

_ Excuse this moment of shameless self-promotion: Limited-edition plaques of Daily News and Inquirer covers on Obama's historic win are available at www.thatsgreatnews.com/philiobama for $79.

of Service?

Celebrate the day

after

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as the nation's first African-American president takes office, by committing to another day - or days - of community service. Think of it as

your personal commitment

to "Renewing America's Promise," the inaugural theme.

_ While volunteering is its own reward, Starbucks is throwing in a cuppa joe for your efforts, with its "I'm In!" campaign. Pledge five or more hours of local community service and get a free tall brewed coffee at a participating Starbucks Wednesday through Sunday. The java giant hopes to raise more than a million hours of service pledges nationwide. *