Inauguration preps underway

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - The preparations for the upcoming inauguration for Connecticut's new governor are underway. Democrat Dan Malloy will be sworn in this Wednesday.

Dan Malloy will culminate his eight year quest when he is sworn in as Connecticut's 88th Governor on Wednesday....the first Democrat to hold the office in twenty years.

The day's events will start with a brief, three block parade at 1PM from the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch on Bushnell Park, around the Capitol Complex to the State Armory.

For the first time in history, the Governor will be sworn in at 2pm on the Armory's drill shed floor, which has been converted into a 2,600 seat auditorium. It'll be followed by a 19 gun salute out front.

"The doors open at Noon at the Armory, we have about 2,600 and change in seats open to the public, first come, first serve," said Col. John Whitford, CT National Guard.

At approximately 3:30 Malloy will address a joint session of the new General Assembly in a speech that's expected to be a call to action to the somber budget battle ahead.

While the inaugural parade and ceremony will be somewhat low key, the Inaugural Ball, at the Convention Center, will be another matter. At over 3,000 it is expected to be the biggest formal sit down dinner ever held here. At $250 per table it's sold out.

The ceremonial Governor's Footguard is putting on the ball, and at their office today it was frantic with last minute orders and changes.

"I've been in the Footguard for 44 years and this is probably the biggest one we've ever been involved in," said Lt. Col. Dennis Conroy, 1st Company Governor's Foot Guard.

The ball begins at 7:30PM and it pays for itself. The Governor's Footguard says no taxpayer money is used.

Stay with News 8 and WTNH.com for complete coverage of all the day's events.