The Kay Ivey Inaugural Committee announced that two-time “Entertainer of the Year” award winner Neal McCoy will headline the Gulf Coast Inaugural Celebration on January 12.
With 6 million records sold, platinum recording artist McCoy has released 34 singles, including Number One Hits No Doubt About It, You Gotta Love That, They’re Playing Our Song, For a Change, and Wink. In addition to three platinum albums, McCoy has a gold album, as well as seven Top Ten hits.
Tickets to the Gulf Coast Inaugural Celebration are available to the general public here.
In lieu of purchasing a $25 ticket, attendees can opt to bring four children’s books. The books will be donated to the Alabama Literacy Alliance.
The Gulf Coast Inaugural Celebration will be from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Lodge at Gulf State Park.
Inauguration Day will be on January 14, 2019.
Festivities begin at 8:15 a.m. with a prayer service at the First Baptist Church of Montgomery. This event will be by invitation only.
The formal swearing-in ceremony will be held in front of the Alabama State Capitol steps at 10:00 a.m.
This will be followed by the traditional parade at the Alabama State Capitol. The parade will begin at 12:00 a.m.
At 7:00 p.m. that night the Inaugural Gala will be at The Montgomery Civic Center. This formal event is by invitation only.
The Kay Ivey Inaugural Committee is led by Cathy Randall and Jimmy Rane. The committee announced that the 2019 Inaugural theme will be: Keep Alabama Growing.
“In less than a year and a half, Governor Ivey led Alabama to record job growth, improved education and set Alabama on a path of prosperity,” said Co-Chairs Jimmy Rane and Cathy Randall. “The 2019 Inaugural theme, Keep Alabama Growing, underscores Governor Ivey’s promise to build upon these successes and grow more opportunities for Alabamians. We’re inspired by Governor Ivey’s bold vision for Alabama and look forward to celebrating this exciting new era.”
In keeping with the theme, Keep Alabama Growing, the Kay Ivey Inaugural Committee has announced plans to promote children’s literacy throughout the 2019 Inaugural festivities with book drives at both the Gulf Coast Inaugural Celebration and the gala.
“Investing in the next generation is critical to our ability to keep Alabama growing,” said Gov. Ivey. “As we prepare for four more years of growing opportunities for Alabamians, I can’t think of a better place to begin than with our children’s literacy, ensuring they get a strong start.”
The Inaugural Committee has unveiled the Kay Ivey Inaugural website and officially opened the application process for any individuals or groups who wish to participate in the 2019 Inaugural Parade.
January 4 is the deadline to submit parade applications.
Ivey served two terms as state Treasurer and then two terms as Lieutenant Governor before being elevated to the officer of Governor in April 2017 when then Gov. Robert Bentley (R) resigned. Ivey easily bested both her Republican primary challengers and her Democratic general election challenger.
