Hundreds of Hudson Valley residents gathered at the Riverspace Performing Arts Center in Nyack Tuesday afternoon to watch the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama.

?It's not just the excitement of the day that brings us all together, but really the concrete possibilities to making life better for all New Yorkers,? says Orangetown Supervisor Thom Kleiner.

Close to 600 people stood up at the same moment crowds in Washington D.C. were asked to stand for the swearing in of Vice President Joe Biden and then President Obama.

?I almost can't even put it into words,? says Janice Butwell, of Nyack. ?It's just so exciting, and every time I think about the actual moment, I start getting all choked up because I just didn't think it could happen.?

Most schools across the county paused regular lessons to allow students to watch the inauguration ceremony.

?It is a discussion in every classroom,? says Johnna Maraia, assistant principal of Warwick Valley Middle School.

However, not all local residents watched Obama?s swearing in on a television screen. More than three dozen people from across the county traveled by bus to the capital to witness the historic moment in person.

For footage from Riverspace Arts theater inauguration watch party in Nyack, go to your digital cable box and select iO Extra, Channel 612.

Watch:Orange County residents travel to D.C. for inauguration

Read:Theinauguration of Barack Obama