St. Paul, MN - Governor-elect Mark Dayton and Lieutenant Governor-elect Yvonne Prettner Solon today announced the schedule of activities for their Inaugural. They will be joined by Minnesota's Constitutional Officers as they take the Oath of Office in a ceremony to be held at Noon on January 3, 2011, at Saint Paul's Landmark Center.

The Governor-elect and Lt. Governor-elect will celebrate their Inaugural, Going to Work for Minnesota, beginning the morning of Monday, January 3 by serving breakfast to children at Wellstone Elementary, a Saint Paul public school. The day will also include an Open House in the State Capitol, which will have refreshments, exhibits from the Minnesota Historical Society, and activities for all Minnesotans to celebrate the Inaugural.

Inaugural festivities will be capped on Saturday evening with a People's Inaugural Ball, a reception and dance to be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The ball is open to and welcomes all Minnesotans, with a dress code dubbed by Mark: Blue Jeans to Black Tie. (Mark is wearing blue jeans!) Tickets can be purchased at the door. The $30 ticket price ($15 for students and low-income; further price reduction can be requested) includes entertainment and hors d'oeuvres.

The governor-elect's schedule, including travel around the state, will be announced later this week.

Monday, January 3, 2011

What: Governor-elect Dayton and Lt. Governor-elect Prettner Solon distribute breakfast to students at Wellstone Elementary School
Who: Governor-elect Mark Dayton, Lt. Governor-elect Yvonne Prettner Solon
When: 8:30 AM
Where: Wellstone Elementary, 1041 Marion Street, Saint Paul, MN 55117
Invited: Open to the media-Press Contact for this event is Howie Padilla, St. Paul Public Schools at 612 251 5714

What: Inaugural Ceremony and Oath of Office
Who: Governor-elect Mark Dayton, Lt. Governor-elect Yvonne Prettner Solon, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, State Auditor Rebecca Otto, Attorney General Lori Swanson
When: Ceremony begins at 12:00PM, doors open 10:30AM (Media pre-set time to be determined)
Where: Landmark Center, 75 Fifth Street SW, Saint Paul
Invited: Open to the public and the media. Public seating will be on a first come, first serve basis

What: State Capitol Open House
The open house will include a reception throughout the Capitol and in the Governor's Reception Room, activities for children and exhibits by the Minnesota Historical Society
Who: Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon will visit with attendees
When: 2:00 - 4:30PM
Where: State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul
Invited: Open to the public and the media
NOTE: Media logistics, including cable runs and truck parking, for Inaugural Day will be sent separately. For questions, please contact John Pollard at (651) 329-2373

Saturday, January 8, 2011

What: People's Inaugural Ball
Who: Governor Mark Dayton, Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, State Auditor Rebecca Otto, Attorney General Lori Swanson
When: 6:30pm to Midnight
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, Ballrooms A and B
1301 2nd Avenue South, Minneapolis
Invited:Open to the public and the media
NOTE: Anyone may purchase a ticket to the Ball at www.daytoninauguration.org, or at the door. $30 ticket ($15 for students and low-income; further price reduction can be requested) goes to cover the cost of the Inaugural celebrations.