Gov. Paul LePage wants his supporters to come party with him on inauguration day.

LePage’s second inaugural ceremony, scheduled for Jan. 7, will differ from the first one in that it will be followed by a full-blown party with live music, dancing, food and drinks.

Another change from the governor’s 2011 inauguration, which was followed only by a low-key reception, is that this time anyone can request tickets to the events online, a LePage adviser said. Attendance at the 2011 inaugural events was by invitation only.

As many as 3,000 people are expected to attend both the inaugural ceremony and party, said Brent Littlefield, inaugural co-director and senior political adviser to LePage. Although less than the roughly 5,000 who attended the 2011 inaugural events, it would be a record number for a re-elected governor in Maine, he said.

While most ticket holders received mailed invitations, there is still an opportunity for members of the public to request electronic tickets via the inaugural event’s website, lepageinaugural2015.com, Littlefield said.

“We’re getting tons of ticket requests right now,” he said. “It is absolutely not too late to request tickets.”

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According to Littlefield, the governor insisted that the inaugural party, scheduled for 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center, be informal and not a “black tie” affair. Still, LePage wanted it to be a full-fledged party, he said, as opposed to the more modest celebration in 2011, when Mainers were still struggling under the full weight of the economic crisis.

LePage asked that a Lewiston-based band, the Moon Dawgs, perform at the upcoming party. Formed in the 1960s, the Moon Dawgs rose to popularity performing at a weekly “battle of the bands” that began as a one-off benefit event in 1964 for Lewiston-Auburn’s Police Athletic League. The weekly music event became known as the PAL HOP. The Moon Dawgs ultimately achieved widespread fandom and opened for famous acts such as the Dave Clark Five and the Kingsmen.

According to the inaugural website, the party also will feature hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Prior to the party, the inauguration ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the civic center.

During the ceremony, LePage will take the oath of office before a joint session of the Maine Legislature. New Senate President Michael Thibodeau will preside over the session.

Also in attendance will be members of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, foreign dignitaries, the governor’s Cabinet and his senior staff, among others, according to an inaugural committee news release.

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Littlefield said LePage’s inaugural address will be focused on job creation and economic growth. The governor will discuss ways to emulate best practices used in other states such as tax reform, spending reform and changes in energy policy, he said.

Performing throughout the ceremony will be 195th Maine Army National Guard Band, the news release said.

The ceremony also is scheduled to incorporate elements of French and English, in a nod to the governor’s background and the importance of Maine’s Franco-American heritage, it said.

The ceremony, which will last about 90 minutes, also will recognize veterans and active-duty service members in attendance as part of the official program.

Security will be tight for the ceremony and party, according to the news release. The Maine State Police are supervising and directing security arrangements both inside and outside the building, and all attendees will be checked by security prior to entering the building, it said.

Only attendees with tickets will be allowed to enter, the release said.

 


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