Inaugural ball lacks a governor

By David Postman
Seattle Times chief political reporter

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Related stories Sims got hundreds of votes that didn't count

OLYMPIA — As election officials get set to begin counting votes in the governor's race for a third time, forget for a moment the questions about delayed transitions, hurried budgets, and hiring and firing.

What about the crudités? What about the wine? Who's hired the bands? Who's looking after the ice sculpture?

Have no worry. The governor's inaugural ball is a nonpartisan affair whose planners, following a more than century-old tradition, are already deep into organizational details.

The only big unanswered question is whether the governor-elect will show up in a tuxedo or a gown.

To decide whether Republican Dino Rossi or Democrat Christine Gregoire will be governor may take another recount, more litigation and even legislative action if the count ends in a tie.

But the Governor's Inaugural Ball Committee hasn't hesitated in planning for the Jan. 12 event.

"It's always been nonpartisan," said committee President Dan Neuhauser. "For over 150 years, it's always been a celebration of Thurston County welcoming the new governor and elected official to the state Capitol."

The inaugural ball The governor's inaugural ball is open to everyone. Even the eventual loser in the election could attend for the price of a $75 ticket. The ball is a formal event and is scheduled 7 p.m. Jan. 12. For more information, call 360-427-6881 or e-mail the Governor's Inaugural Ball Committee, ibc2005@hotmail.com.

It's not only bipartisan, it also is a relatively proletarian inaugural, with anyone invited who wants to spend $75 for a ticket. The event is paid for through ticket sales, with no taxpayer money, Neuhauser said.

Ticket sales have been slow, said Dolores Parrett, the committee's secretary. While the nonpartisan and community aspects of the ball always are emphasized, many seem to be waiting to see who will be the star of the show.

Parrett said yesterday only about 100 tickets have been sold, compared with the 900 she'd expected to be sold by now.

"Some invitations have gone out, but people have been reluctant to purchase too many tickets," Parrett said.

She and Neuhauser expect the ball to sell out quickly, though, once a winner is decided. That would mean about 5,000 tickets.

Neuhauser said first-term inaugurals are always big sellers.

This year's theme is "Honor the past, build for the future." There will be ice sculptures and Washington foods and wines.

There will be multiple bands for dancing and listening throughout the Capitol. There will be chefs from restaurants throughout the state and apprentices from 14 schools preparing food at four or five locations in the Legislative Building.

The governor-elect never has much say in the details. Gov. Gary Locke asked for some Chinese-themed entertainment. His wife, Mona, was pregnant at his first inaugural and asked to be served apple juice, not wine, for the governor's ceremonial first toast.

Locke's opponent in his first race in 1996, Ellen Craswell, had asked organizers before Election Day if the ball could be moved to the Kingdome if she won, hoping perhaps for a landslide victory that would have her supporters filling the now-demolished sports arena.

Craswell was told no, because the event is Thurston County's chance to welcome the new governor.

Parrett said the ball had its origins in the mid-19th century as part of Olympia's efforts to become the permanent site of the state capital. "Seattle and Olympia were in a competition, and Olympia got out their little baby oysters and held a ball," she said.

David Postman: 360-943-9882

or dpostman@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

E-mail this article

Print this article

Search archive

More local news headlines...