Prayers, party for Perdue mark eve of inauguration

Raleigh, N.C. — The eve of Beverly Perdue's swearing-in as North Carolina governor begins with introspection and ends with a party.

The governor-elect attended an inaugural prayer service Friday morning at the historically black First Baptist Church on Capitol Square in downtown Raleigh. The event was open to the public.

Organizers scheduled ministers from Christian and Jewish congregations to speak on topics such as leadership, courage and humility. A state employees' choir was on hand, too.

Later Friday, Perdue and her husband, Bob Eaves, will join thousands for the inaugural ball and other festivities in downtown Raleigh. Ball tickets were still available Thursday at $125 per person.

The inauguration for Perdue and nine other Council of State members is Saturday morning.

Inauguration festivities for Perdue began Thursday night with a reception honoring the new Council of State and a concert geared toward young voters.

Held at the Marriott City Center Ballroom, reception honored the new Council of State and Lt. Governor-elect Walter Dalton. The $125 per person fundraiser was sponsored by the Junior League of Raleigh, which used this event and the Rock the Ball concert to raise money for charity.

The Rock the Ball concert, held Thursday night at the Lincoln Theater, celebrated the youth vote, which played a role in the recent election.

“We have a choice to be able to vote and with that choice we should definitely do it because we make a difference,” said Amanda Rossi, a young voter who attended the event.

Youth voting numbers increased in 2008, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

“It’s real important that young people understand how important it is to have this privilege – to be able to vote in this country,” Junior League President Virginia Yopp said.

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Parker will deliver the oath of office to Perdue in a 10:30 a.m. Saturday ceremony on the steps of the Division of Archives and History building on East Jones Street.

The inaugural parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the corner of Fayetteville and Davie streets downtown.

The festivities conclude Saturday afternoon with an open house at the Governor's Mansion, where Perdue can greet some of her constituents.

For live inauguration coverage, log on to WRAL.com. Watch Beverly Perdue's swearing in beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday and the inaugural parade starting at 12:30 p.m.

35 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

VIEW ALL 35 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments

"And OrdinaryCitizen, it's a private party, so if there are police there they most likely would be hired by the Junior League."

I have a bridge I want to sell you.

OrdinaryCitizen
January 9, 2009 2:00 p.m.

Thank you, thefavoritfishy, I was going to ask if these posters here even read the article. It seems people just like to complain before even making sure there is something to complain about. If the Junior League wanted to throw me a party and have the proceeds go to charity then I'd sure show up. And OrdinaryCitizen, it's a private party, so if there are police there they most likely would be hired by the Junior League. Come on people, this is not a State supported event. The only State supported event, as I understand it, is the swearing in, on Saturday, and that's for the Gov. and the Council of State and it kind of has to be done. But again, I wonder if most of you even paid attention to the info in the story. Sheesh!!!! (and I didn't even vote for Perdue) Oh yeah, and the prayer service was in a CHURCH, not the capitol, not the Gov's mansion, not the legislative building, so where's the separation of church and State problem?

jonmac
January 9, 2009 12:54 p.m.

"As for the money to pay for these events, North Carolina is the only state in the nation who does not use public money to fund the inauguration events. "

Who pays for the security? Who is going to pay the police for the event?

OrdinaryCitizen
January 9, 2009 12:31 p.m.

We now have the most clueless Gov in the country. Pray for the citizens of this State because we will need it. Congratulations to the fools who voted for her and we all know who they are. The same ones waiting on their free checks from Obama.

TRivers
January 9, 2009 12:07 p.m.

She doesn't use her husband's last name because he's her second husband and she was already an elected official when they married. Fairly logical there.

As for the money to pay for these events, North Carolina is the only state in the nation who does not use public money to fund the inauguration events. They come entirely from sponsorships. And the proceeds from all the events go to charity when it's all said and done. So quit complaining and do your research. The Junior League hosts all of the events. Not the Governor-Elect or the Governor or the State.

thefavoritefishy
January 9, 2009 11:57 a.m.