It’s not often one sees State Rep. Stephanie Hawke and Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson in the same place. But there they both were on Jan. 20 attending President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration. Hawke and fellow state legislator Stacey Guerin had no plans to attend until a week before the event. The two tried unsuccessfully to secure tickets from the two GOP members of Maine’s congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

But Hawke and Guerin ultimately found success contacting Democrat Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office. Maine’s First District Congresswoman was one of about 50 House members who chose not to attend the inauguration. Hawke and Guerin received tickets in a prime viewing spot. The two stood behind a section of four rows reserved for those with a gold band. An usher told Hawke the gold band rows were for friends of the president-elect.

“They were great tickets. I think they were reserved for Pingree’s friends before she decided not to attend,” Hawke said. “We had a good view of the ceremony and when we looked behind us we saw the guy from Duck Dynasty.”

For Hawke, attending a presidential inauguration is a once in a lifetime event. As Inauguration Day neared, Hawke and Guerin started discussing going to the ceremony. For Hawke, seeing all the historic buildings of our nation’s capital and the peaceful transfer of power was a memorable event.

“Just the history of the city and country made it very special,” she said. “You could feel the excitement in the air.”

But others in Washington, D.C. weren’t as happy to see the new administration. Protesters attempted to disrupt the ceremony, according to Hawke.

“There was a group of four chanting, but security quickly escorted them out,” she said.

Hawke wasn’t the only person from the Boothbay region attending the inauguration. Boothbay residents Dr. Aqui Alamo and his family attended. Hawke met her constituents at an open house event hosted by Sen. Collins.

“I was there and heard somebody say Stephanie. I wonder who is calling my name, and turned around and saw the Alamo family,” Hawke said.

Of course, an inauguration includes a big party. Hawke and Guerin attended a concert performed on Jan. 19 by country music star Trace Adkins. On Inauguration Day, the two attended the Faith and Freedom Ball. The event began with a black-tie dinner.

While Hawke and Guerin had to search for inaugural tickets, Boothbay resident Dawn Gilbert was an invited guest. Gilbert served as the Trump campaign’s Lincoln County captain during the presidential election. Gilbert has received invitations to past Republican presidents’ inaugurations and attended President George W. Bush’s in 2004. But Gilbert decided against attending Trump’s.

Her husband, Shannon Gilbert, died the day before Election Day in an automobile accident. He was placing Trump-Pence lawn signs in Newcastle and Damariscotta when the accident occurred.

“I really wanted to go to the inauguration, but I couldn’t. I just wasn’t into it so I stayed home,” she said.

Gilbert watched the ceremony on television holding a picture of her husband. “I just wanted to be alone and watch him take the oath of office. It was very emotional,” Gilbert said. “I know Shannon would’ve been very proud of Donald Trump.”

Later that night, Gilbert attended an inauguration party at Richard and Deborah Rush’s home in Boothbay. About 15 attended the party, where they watched the inaugural balls.

“We all wanted to see what the First Lady was wearing and it was a beautiful gown,” Gilbert said. The party included food, a champagne toast to the new president, and a fireworks display.