Governor's inauguration moves indoors

The ceremony will start at 10 a.m. in Memorial Auditorium at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, in downtown Raleigh.

The planned inaugural parade has been canceled.

"We knew this was a possibility. We have had a contingency plan in place for quite some time," said Scott Falmlen with the Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. "It's going to happen in one place or the other."

Falmlen said the decision to move the inauguration indoors was made to get people out of the cold. The decision also freed up state workers to help deal with any bad weather.

"DOT, in particular, would need to be out dealing with roads and streets," he said.

Inaugural events begin Friday with a prayer service at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Raleigh, then continue with a concert, the transfer of the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina and the inauguration ceremony Saturday.

The Executive Mansion, at 200 N. Blount St., is open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, and Cooper will be on hand to greet supporters and guests.

The Junior League of Raleigh, the group that puts on the Inaugural Ball, is still determined to host the 3,000 guests expected for the party hosted indoors at North Carolina State University's campus.

"We want to notify everyone to allow themselves extra time to get here," said Junior League of Raleigh President Rebecca Ayers.