Kentucky governor inauguration: Everything you need to know to watch or attend
Workers were scurrying about the Capitol Monday as they prepared for Tuesday’s festive inauguration of Kentucky’s new governor.
State police were checking security, construction workers were putting the final touches on the massive stage and platform in front of the Capitol and the large tents behind it, and florists were decorating the interior of the building.
After Democrats Andy Beshear and Jacqueline Coleman are sworn into office as governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, at a private midnight ceremony in the Governor’s Mansion, the free, public activities begin at 7:30 a.m. and run through midnight. Kentucky Educational Television will live stream the private swearing-in.
Here’s what you need to know to attend or watch public events surrounding Kentucky’s 61st inauguration with the theme “Team Kentucky.”
Parking
There will be free public parking venues and a shuttle service. Several Frankfort streets will be closed, including the parade route to the Capitol. There’s a detailed map at Kentucky.gov/inauguration.
Thousands of public parking spaces will be available since state offices will be closed. Shuttle service will be offered from the larger parking locations to events from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including the parade and the public swearing-in ceremony.
Free Frankfort parking includes: Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, 100 W. Broadway St.; Mayo-Underwood building parking garage, 500 Mero Street; Transportation Cabinet building parking garage, 200 Mero Street; Sullivan Square parking garage, 250 W. Main Street; and Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS, also known as the Human Resource Building), 275 E. Main St. parking lot.
Free shuttle service will be available at the CHFS lot. Once that lot is filled, additional parking and shuttle service to Todd/Logan street will be available at 300 Sower Boulevard.
For the evening events, the State Capitol parking structure will be open. Enter at the bottom level at 861 Old Lawrenceburg Road after 5 p.m.
Inaugural breakfast reception, Kentucky History Center, 7:30 a.m.
The reception, hosted by the citizens of Frankfort and Franklin County, is open to all inaugural visitors.
The museum will offer a continental breakfast featuring foods from Kentucky State Parks, B’s Bakery and Poppy’s Bakery. Entertainment during the reception will be provided by Emilia Bustle of University of Kentucky’s College of Fine Arts, the Second Street School children’s choir and the Kentucky State University Faculty/Student Jazz Collective.
All exhibits at the History Center will be free Tuesday. Exhibits include the Hall of Governors and the perennial Holiday History Train. The Old State Capitol and Kentucky Military Museum will also be open to the public.
Inaugural Worship Service, First Christian Church, 8:30 a.m.
The non-denominational worship service will feature music from the choirs of Bates Memorial Baptist Church and Kentucky State University. Messages and prayers will be offered by Dr. Charisse Gillett of Lexington Theological Seminary; Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport of The Temple, Louisville; Rev. Rob Shrader of Beargrass Christian Church, Louisville; Rev. Dr. John Opsata of First Christian Church, Frankfort; and Rev. Dr. Valerie Washington of Hughlett Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, Louisville.
Seating is limited, but the worship service will be streamed online at facebook.com/1stChristianFrankfort. Frankfort Plant Board subscribers can watch on local channels 10 and 510.
To support Kentucky’s vulnerable families, worshipers are invited to bring coats and toys for donation to local charities.
Parade, 10 a.m. to noon
Kentucky educators will serve as grand marshals, including 2020 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Erin Ball of Georgetown Middle School in Scott County, and 2019 National Education Association Education Support Professional of the Year Matthew Powell of Graves County Central Elementary School.
The traditional inaugural parade will begin at High Street at the Old Governor’s Mansion and will conclude in front of the Capitol. It will feature 39 units, including former Govs. Steve Beshear, Martha Layne Collins and Paul Patton.
Gov. Andy Beshear and Britainy Beshear and their children, Will and Lila, will join Lt. Gov. Coleman, husband Chris O’Bryan and their children, Will, Nate and Emma in open horse-drawn carriages provided by the Kentucky Horse Park.
KET will carry the parade live.
Inaugural prelude, Capitol steps, 1 p.m
Musicians from across Kentucky will perform, including the 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky National Guard, Harlan Boys Choir, Northern Pulaski Middle School Honors Choir and Louisville Eastern High School Chamber Singers.
Public swearing-in, Capitol steps, 2 p.m.
Seating is available for the public, and visitors may line up along the Capitol’s grand front steps to witness the ceremony that will be carried live by KET.
The ceremony will be emceed by Kentucky educators Cathy Carter, Scott Collier and Laura Hartke, and will feature musical performances by Patricia Mathison, Jason Clayborn, Christian Bishop, the Harlan Boys Choir and Linkin’ Bridge.
Lt. Gov. Coleman will be sworn in first, with Justice Michelle M. Keller of the Kentucky Supreme Court administering the oath of office. Gov. Beshear will then be sworn in by Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr.
Capitol Open House, after swearing-in ceremony
Kentuckians are welcome to tour the state’s century-old capitol and enjoy the beautiful decorations prior to the evening’s celebrations. Winners of first lady Beshear’s Team Kentucky poster contest will be recognized at this time.
The Capitol will be closed from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Grand March, Capitol Rotunda, 8 p.m.
The Grand March is a formal presentation of the governor, lieutenant governor and other constitutional officers, who will be sworn in Jan. 6.
Music for the Grand March will be provided by the Louisville Orchestra, led by music director Teddy Abrams. Attire for this event is black tie optional. Doors will open at 7 p.m. KET will televise the event.
Inaugural Balls, Capitol grounds, 9 p.m to midnight
There will be two side-by-side inaugural balls adjacent to the Capitol. The parties will be catered by Kentucky State Parks and will serve some of the state’s favorite foods. Attire for this event is black tie optional. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP for this and other public inaugural events at kentucky.gov/inauguration.
This story was originally published December 9, 2019 at 2:26 PM.
