9:30 a.m. Inauguration Day
Final preparations are wrapping up for the inauguration of Gov. Rendell who takes the oath of office for his second term at noon. While security officers make last-minute sweeps of the Capitol grounds, political dignitaries, performers and the party faithful are gathering on the east side of the Capitol where the ceremony takes place.
The event is shaping up to be a more subdued affair than in 2003, when "America's Mayor" took the oath as Pennsylvania's 45th governor before joining in a parade of 5,000 through the streets of Harrisburg, featuring the Mummers, survivors of the Quecreek Mine disaster and Punxsutawney Phil.
This year there will be plenty of fanfare and music, but no parade and no fireworks. The Associated Press reports organizers expect fewer than 5,000 people to attend the inaugural ball, only half the number who were on hand four years ago. A press aide says no Pittsburgh TV stations were planning to make the trip.
The action gets underway at 10:30 a.m. with the swearing-in of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll in the Senate chamber. The ceremony for the governor begins outside at 11:30 a.m. with music by the Philadelphia Boys Choir. Teen singer Timmy Kelly of Philadelphia is back to sing the National Anthem. And First Lady (federal judge) Marjorie O. Rendell will again be standing beside her husband on the podium at noon administering the oath of office.
This afternoon, following Rendell's inaugural address, the spotlight will be on Harrisburg businesses with local restaurants offering $20.07 deals on meals and "A Celebration of the Arts" will highlight local art galleries. The inaugural ball, featuring a nearly all-Philly line-up headlined by singers Jon Bon Jovi, Frankie Avalon and Jill Scott, begins at 7 p.m. at the Farm Show complex.
My colleague Mario F. Cattabiani and I will be delivering the play-by-play through the day.
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