Staff Report
Matt Bevin became Kentucky’s 62nd governor at a special swearing-in at midnight in the state Capitol Rotunda.
The public swearing in will take place at 2 p.m. today on the steps of the Capitol building. Estimates are that 2-3000 people will witness the public swearing-in. Added security measures are in place.
A full day of Inauguration Day activities are planned, starting with a public worship service at 8 a.m. at Frankfort Convention Center, followed by the Inaugural parade with Dakota Meyer as grand marshal, a public party featuring Ricky Skaggs, the swearing in, a traditional grand march to introduce all new elected constitutional office-holders, and a concert, all open to the public. Instead of a traditional formal ball, there will be a private, invitation-only “Boots and Bells” event attended by about 2000 invited guests.
Shortly after midnight, his chief-of-staff Blake Brinkman congratulates Gov. Matt Bevin (Photo provided)
Here is the detailed schedule of the day’s events:
Inaugural Worship Service
Public 8 a.m. Frankfort Convention Center
405 Mero St, Frankfort
The morning worship service, which was moved to the Frankfort Convention Center, will also serve as a toy drive for the Kentucky National Guard Assistance Center. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for any age child. Those toys will be distributed throughout the state to children of deployed Kentucky National Guard families.
Backpacks, duffle bags and other large bags will not be permitted inside the Frankfort Convention Center.
The service is open to the public. Admission is free.
Grammy-winning gospel singer Larnelle Harris and Heather Payne, formerly of the Christian contemporary group Point of Grace, will sing.
2015 Inaugural Parade
Public 10 a.m. Capital Avenue
Capital Avenue
The Inaugural Parade will offer a variety of bands and floats from across the Commonwealth. The parade will focus on honoring and giving thanks to those Kentuckians who have served in our armed forces. It will be shorter than many inaugural parades with less than 70 entries, including most high school bands that finished at least third in state championships. Kentucky State University’s marching band will also participate.
The event is free and open to the public, and will be broadcast live on KET.
Official Swearing-In Ceremony
Public 2 p.m., The Capitol
700 Capital Avenue, Frankfort
Governor-Elect Matt Bevin and Lt. Governor-Elect Jenean Hampton will be publicly sworn in as Governor and Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The inauguration will be attended by former governors Ernie Fletcher, Paul Patton, Brereton Jones, John Y. Brown Jr. and Martha Layne Collins.
Country singer Lee Greenwood and tenor Gregory Turay, a University of Kentucky graduate who has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, will perform.
Frankfort Welcome Party
Public 4 – 7 p.m.,Kentucky History Center
100 W. Broadway, Frankfort
Renowned Kentucky musician Ricky Skaggs will be the featured performer at an inaugural celebration at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.
It is a tradition for Frankfort and Franklin County officials, along with the local tourism and convention commission, to welcome the incoming Governor and his family to the community. A reception to honor that event will begin at 4 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the History Center.
Immediately following the welcome ceremony, guests will move to the History Center’s beautiful and spacious Cralle Day Garden, where the Bevin-Hampton Inaugural Committee will host a bluegrass celebration featuring Skaggs and several other renowned Kentucky musicians.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Grand March
Public 7 p.m., The Capitol Rotunda
700 Capital Avenue, Frankfort
The Grand March is a tradition dating back to the mid-19th Century, during which newly elected constitutional officers are formally introduced to the public. The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda and is free and open to the public.
Governor Bevin, Lt. Governor Hampton, constitutional officers, legislative leaders and their partners descend one couple at a time from the third floor of the Capitol to the Rotunda. Once all have reached the Rotunda, the Owensboro Symphony will play, with Governor and Mrs. Bevin having the first dance.
The event is free and open to the public, and will be broadcast live on KET.
The private party
There will be no traditional black-tie ball, but a “Boots and Bells” concert to end the evening with private guests. The headline performer has not been announced, but among opening acts will be J.P. Pennington, Less Taylor and Sonny Lemaire of the group Exile, from Richmond.
Given the new governor’s preference for less formality, the inauguration committee had focused on “frugal.” Some of the cost of the inauguration is paid by the state but a committee has raised private funds for the rest for which fundraising and spending reports will be made next month.
Lord help the middle class and working poor.