Other presidents have cancelled Inaugural balls for various reasons. As recent as Ronald Reagan, in 1985 during a weak economy, Franklin Pierce, who was mourning the recent death of his son in 1853, Woodrow Wilson, who in 1913 felt that inaugural balls were too expensive, and Warren G. Harding, who in 1921 wanted to set an example of simplicity, all opted to end the custom of inaugural balls.
Following Presidents Obama's Campaign slogan, It's time to 'MOVE FORWARD' and lead by example !