It was a long, tiring day for a York City family as they not only took in the second inauguration of President Barack Obama but also took part in it.

The Garnetts - Tim and his wife, Lois, and their daughter, Sarai - served as volunteer team captains during the inauguration, leading groups of other volunteers as they welcomed attendees just outside of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Some attendees cheered while others shed tears of joy as they gathered to watch Obama take his oath of office as president.

"It was just all different kinds of emotions for people as they came in," said Lois Garnett.

The Garnetts joined other volunteers as they also handed American flags out to event goers.

Long day: The Garnetts were asked to serve as volunteers after working on the president's re-election campaign in York County.

Although they were quick to take up the chance to be part in the president's big day, it also meant a long day for the Garnetts.

They met with organizers at 4:30 a.m. and were at their posts a little after 5 a.m., just in time to watch the sun rise over the Capitol building.

While tired at the end of the day, Lois Garnett said it was well worth it to have been part of history.

Tim Garnett said it was an experience that everyone should be part of at some point in his or her life.

"It was really neat for us, having worked really hard on the campaign," Lois Garnett said. "It was like coming full-circle to (work) with the inauguration."

Impressed: East Hopewell Township resident Karen Holway took in her first inauguration from a standing-room-only section near the Capitol.

She said she was impressed with how well the ceremony was run by organizers and with the president's speech.

"It was a great day," Holway said. "I think we were just kind of thrilled to be there. People just wanted to be there for the experience."

On Sunday night, Holway attended the Green Ball, which was also attended by Vice President Joe Biden, at the Newseum.

Ball bound: Lois and Sarai Garnett, 25, were also slated to attend a ball.

The mother and daughter were preparing to go to a ball that the president and the first lady were guaranteed to attend when they took part in a phone interview Monday night.

Sarai Garnett said she was hopeful that she'd get a chance to meet the Obamas.

"I'm hoping that tonight it'll magically happen," she said.

Despite Monday's being Obama's second inauguration ceremony, crowds were just as energetic they were when he was sworn in for the first time in 2008, Sarai Garnett said.

"It was kind of like it was happening for the first time," she said.

- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.