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Tickets for the inaugural ball, as well as the inaugural swearing-in
ceremony, are available to the public through Ticketmaster. People
can visit
www.celebrateillinois2007.com for the latest information,
including a schedule of the day's events. "The inaugural ball is
the perfect time to celebrate the people, communities and traditions
that make our state so special -- the butter cow at the state fair,
the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Route 66,
soybeans, coal, wine, peaches, and everything else that makes us
what we are," Blagojevich said. "We will not only celebrate four
more years of making things better for working families and
communities -- we'll honor these communities, their contributions
and achievements."
The inaugural ball is black-tie optional. A limited number of
tickets are available to the public at a cost of $35 per person.
Tickets are available online at
Ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge
tickets by phone, call 312-902-1500.
A limited number of free tickets for the inaugural swearing-in
ceremony are also available to the general public. Tickets are
available only through Ticketmaster in-store ticket outlets. There
is a limit of two tickets per person for the inaugural ceremony, and
tickets must be picked up in person. A $1 per ticket service charge
will apply. Ticket orders for the ceremony will not be taken by
phone or online.
At the ball, the "Celebrate! Illinois" theme will be brought to
life with 16 banners decorating the room and highlighting Illinois'
contributions in athletics, food and beverages, culture,
architecture, historical figures, landmarks, agriculture,
inventions, toys, and candy. Some of the noteworthy Illinois people,
communities, traditions, inventions and resources that will be
celebrated are the Rockford Peaches, the Twinkie, Illinois wine, the
world's largest ketchup bottle, the butter cow, the blues, the
Dana-Thomas House, the skyscraper, coal, John Deere, Brach's and the
Star Brite mint, the Ferris wheel, Route 66, and Abraham Lincoln.
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 Gift bags available to guests will contain donated items from
companies and organization around the state that represent past and
present Illinois contributions, including Wrigley mints, Frontier
League baseball caps, Frank Lloyd Wright postcards, Chicago
Architecture Foundation maps, Southern Illinois University fans,
Northern Illinois University ticket vouchers, Navy Pier mugs and
tote bags, Sears Tower Skydeck pins, Hostess Twinkies, Abraham
Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum pens, John G. Shedd Aquarium
postcards, Caterpillar Inc. key chains, and Art Institute of Chicago
pens. Gift bags will also contain a commemorative memento poster
that will feature pictures of all 16 themed banners.
Attendees will be entertained by the Chicago band Gentleman of
Leisure. In addition to general food and beverages from a local
Springfield caterer, there will be wine and cheese stations from
Illinois wineries statewide. Flowers for the event will be provided
by a local Springfield event design company.
The 2007 inaugural schedule is as follows:
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Interfaith prayer
service -- 9-10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in
Springfield, Seventh and Capitol streets. The governor and first
family will join other constitutional officers for an interfaith
service, during which the constitutional party will light the
unity candle.
-
Inaugural ceremony
-- 11 a.m.-12:55 p.m. (doors will open at 9 a.m.) at the Prairie
Capital Convention Center in Springfield. Attendees from across
Illinois will watch the governor and constitutional officers
take the oath of office.
-
Executive mansion
receiving line -- 2:30-4 p.m. at the executive mansion in
Springfield. The governor will be joined by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn
in greeting the public at the executive mansion.
-
Inaugural ball --
7:30-11:30 p.m. at the Exposition Building on the Illinois State
Fairgrounds in Springfield. The governor, first lady and
constitutional officers will take part in the ball, which is an
inaugural tradition.
For more detailed information about ticket sales, events and
locations, visit
www.celebrateillinois2007.com.
[News release from the governor's office] |
