Strickland's Jan. 13 inaugural schedule

COLUMBUS – The Strickland-Fisher Inaugural Committee announced today the inaugural festivities that will surround the oath-of-office ceremony on   Jan. 13. The day will provide opportunities for Ohioans of all ages and backgrounds to participate in the celebrations, the committee said.

The morning begins with an ecumenical prayer service, where clergy of different faiths from throughout Ohio will share scripture readings and spiritual reflections. The St. Joseph Cathedral Schola from Columbus will provide the musical accompaniment.

The morning continues with an inaugural tribute to the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program will highlight Dr. King’s achievements through music and photos, and children from across Ohio will present readings about his life and excerpts from his work.

Following the oath-of-office ceremony, the "Beautiful Ohio" program will showcase a snapshot of talented Ohioans, from student groups to national performers.

The Ohio Inaugural Ball will take place Saturday evening at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. The inaugural ball will be an evening of music and dancing to ring in the Strickland-Fisher administration.

To celebrate the inauguration, the Columbus Museum of Art, the Franklin Park Conservatory and the Riffe Gallery in Columbus will be open to the public at no cost.

A Web site, www.turnaroundohio.com, has been launched to provide the public with the most up-to-date inaugural information. In addition to event and accommodation details, the site has information on how to support the efforts of the inaugural charity, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks.

Following is the schedule of events for   Jan. 13. All events will take place in Columbus. Tickets are required for the Ohio Inaugural Ball; all other events are free and open to the public.

Ecumenical Prayer Service

Location: Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E Broad St.

When: 7 a.m.

Performers: St. Joseph’s Cathedral Schola

Inaugural Tribute to the Life of Martin Luther King

Location: The Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

When: 9:30 a.m.

Performers: Cleveland School of the Arts Chorale

The Baby Grands (The School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Cincinnati)

Faith Esham

Cornelius Bethea

The Swearing-In of Ted Strickland as Governor and Lee Fisher as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio

Location: West Lawn of the Ohio Statehouse

When: 11:30 a.m.

Performers: The All-Ohio State Fair Band

The Red Chorale (from the All-Ohio Youth Choir)

Faith Esham

Trevor Henderson

Sgt. First Class Robert A. Scott

Beautiful Ohio! A Public Reception

Location: The Palace Theatre

When: 2   p.m.

Performers: Dublin Taiko Drummers

Cleveland School of the Arts

The Baby Grands (The School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Cincinnati)

The Bucket Boyz

The Zanesville High School Devilettes dance team

Indira Satyapriva and the Nalanda School of Asian Indian Dance

Steve Free

Jessica Grové

Dwight Lenox and the Lenox Avenue Express

Ladies of Longford

Red {an Orchestra}

Pianist Spencer Myer

The Ohio Inaugural Ball

Tickets $75 each. Black-tie Optional

Location: The Lausche and Rhodes Buildings (Ohio State Fairgrounds)

When: 8 p.m.

Performers: Sammy DeLeon y su Orquesta

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