On January 17, Abigail Spanberger will be sworn in as Virginia’s 75th governor — the first woman to hold the office. To celebrate the occasion, there is a full weekend of inauguration events planned in Richmond.
The inauguration’s theme is “United for Virginia’s Future,” which “reflects the collective pride and common goals that will move the Commonwealth forward,” according to a news release. The theme also aims to express Spanberger’s “commitment to serving as a thoughtful, pragmatic leader for all Virginians who brings their voices to the decision-making table and always puts Virginia first.”
“These celebrations honor far more than any one person — they honor the story of the people of Virginia. The upcoming inauguration will reflect the values that unite us as Virginians — a shared desire to build a stronger future for our children, the triumphs of generations of Virginians who carried us to this moment, and the rich cultures that are woven into the fabric of our Commonwealth,” Spanberger said.
Here are some of the planned public celebrations:
Made in Virginia Market
January 16, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The day before the inauguration ceremony, guests can visit the 17th Street Market in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom. The market features Virginia-based vendors and businesses, plus live musical performances.
Inauguration
January 17, noon
Spanberger’s official swearing-in ceremony will be held on the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol Building. It’s free and open to the public, but there’s limited space. Anyone interested in attending must fill out an interest form to be entered into a ticket lottery.
“We will welcome as many Virginians as possible to Capitol Square on January 17,” Spanberger said. “I am so grateful for the excitement, support, and visions for our future that Virginians across the Commonwealth have shared with me over the last several weeks.”
The ceremony will also be televised and streamed online, according to the Spanberger Inaugural Committee.
Inaugural Parade
January 17
Immediately after the inauguration, there will be an Inaugural Parade through Capitol Square. Andrew Freiden, a meteorologist with Richmond’s 12 On Your Side, will be the parade’s announcer.
The parade will include more than 25 groups and organization. These includes the Virginia National Guard, the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, the Virginia Educational Association, the Girl Scouts of Virginia, and Virginia Pride. Virginia’s public university mascots will also appear in the parade, including GMU’s Patriot, William & Mary’s Griffin, UVA’s Cavalier, and JMU’s Duke Dog.
See a full list of parade participants here. This event is open to those who attended the inauguration ceremony.
Executive Mansion Open House
January 18, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors will have the chance to peek inside the building that has housed Virginia’s governors since 1813 — it’s the oldest continuously occupied Governor’s residence in the U.S.
Guests will enter the mansion through the Capitol Square entrance to get a tour. These are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Feature image of Abigail Spanberger, UPI/Alamy Stock Photo
