From Deseret News archives:
Huntsman plans 3 days of inaugural partying
Events at Abravanel Hall, E Center, downtown church
Huntsman and Utah's other top officials elected in November will be sworn in at Abravanel Hall because the State Capitol is closed for a major earthquake retrofit project set to last more than three years.
The inaugural ceremony will take place Jan. 3. But Huntsman also has planned an interfaith music service the night before at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Salt Lake City and a statehood celebration the day after at the E Center in West Valley City.
All events are free and open to the public, but seating will be limited at all but the statehood celebration on Jan. 4. Tickets will be needed to attend the inaugural ceremony, at which the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is scheduled to perform.
Huntsman said he plans to shake the hand of everyone who attends the statehood celebration on Jan. 4.
"I'm excited about it," the governor-elect said. "I very much wanted to do an event that was open to one and all."
The price tag for the events is expected to top $100,000. The state is contributing about $20,000 through the Utah National Guard, which is in charge of the inauguration. West Valley City is waiving about $12,000 in fees.
The rest of the cost will be raised from private donations, Huntsman said, including at an invitation-only party at The Gateway's Union Station hall on Jan. 6, which will cost $250 per person.
Huntsman said much thought went into the decision to hold the inauguration at Abravanel Hall, which he described as a "splendid venue." It will be the first time since the Capitol was completed in 1916 that the ceremony has been held elsewhere.
The 1896 inauguration of Utah's first governor, Heber M. Wells, was held at the Mormon Tabernacle, which will close early next year for an earthquake retrofit project similar to the one underway at the Capitol.
Tickets will be made available to the public the day of the ceremony at Abravanel Hall. Those who want to attend the noon event are advised to be in line by 9 a.m., inauguration director Mike Deaver said. The ceremony will also be broadcast live in the Salt Palace.
The hour-long interfaith music service on Jan. 2, a Sunday, will begin at 6 p.m. Deaver said details about the performance, as well as the entertainment at the statehood celebration on Jan. 4, are still being worked out.
Huntsman said West Valley City was chosen as the site of the statehood celebration in part because it was where he began his campaign for governor. He also said the E Center will accommodate a lot of well-wishers.
Food at the statehood celebration, which will mark Utah's 109th birthday, will be provided by several local restaurants that feature moderately priced ethnic cuisine, a favorite of Huntsman. The same restaurants also will cater the black-tie fund-raiser later in the week.
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