CelebrateVT, the official inaugural committee for Governor-elect Peter Shumlin, has announced the details for the events surrounding the inauguration.
According to Mary Powell, the inaugural chairwoman and President/Chief Executive Officer of Green Mountain Power, the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation will benefit from all proceeds from inaugural events.
In 2009, Shumlin helped lead an effort to raise more $200,000 to bring deployed National Guard members back to Vermont to celebrate the holidays.
“The governor-elect wants this inauguration to celebrate our state and the great potential we have at the dawning of a new decade,” said Powell. “Vermonters are facing the toughest economy in decades and this event will contribute to our economy by focusing on local products, artists and venues. At the same time, the generosity of Vermonters and our businesses will help support our National Guard members and their families.”
The official inauguration ceremony will take place Thursday, Jan. 6, in the State House at 1:30 p.m. Vermonters are invited to visit the Winter Village on the State House lawn to enjoy Vermont products and musical acts, as well as a “bunny slope” for the kids (weather permitting). Gov. Shumlin will visit the village directly after he is sworn in.
On the eve of the inauguration - Jan. 5 - Vermonters are invited to a “Homecoming” reception in Brattleboro with the governor-elect. Shumlin will be the first governor from southern Vermont in more than 30 years. Vermonters are asked to RSVP for the event on the inaugural website www.celebratevt.com.
Finally, the Inaugural Ball will be unique: The ball will take place at a ski resort for the first time in the history of Vermont. On Friday, Jan. 7, Sugarbush will host the governor for a night of local food and local music. Tickets are available for purchase for $50 and are limited to the first 1,100 people. Tickets can be purchased through the Flynn Box Office ticketing system.
All the information and updates for the inaugural activities are available at www.celebratevt.com. Also available on the website are the full disclosures for any donor contributing to the inaugural committee. No taxpayer dollars will be used to fund the activities and the committee is dedicated to transparency on all sources of donations above $100.
More announcements on musical guests, Winter Village sponsors and other updates can be found on CelebrateVT's inaugural Twitter feed and Facebook page.