Malloy Puts His Own Spin On The Inaugural Ball
by Caitlin Emma | Nov 26, 2010 7:53am
(5) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Election 2010, Town News
(Updated) Would you prefer a sit-down dinner, or are you the buffet type?
This year’s gubernatorial Inaugural Ball on January 5 will offer both dining options at the request of Governor-Elect Dan Malloy. In previous years, guests purchased their spots in the room, sipped on drinks, noshed on appetizers and mingled with other guests.
“In the past it was a reception kind of affair,” said Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Conroy, the Inaugural Ball chairman of the First Company Governor’s Foot Guard. “This year he asks that we make it a sit-down dinner.”
The First Company Governor’s Foot Guard hosts the ball every year.
“Governor-Elect Malloy wanted the Inaugural Ball to feel more intimate and give him a chance to enjoy the company of those who choose to come,” said Colleen Flanagan, Malloy’s transition spokesperson. “He’s looking forward to saying hello to friends old and new.”
Dinner in the ballroom of the Connecticut Convention Center sells for $2,250 for a table of 10 people. Guests can choose between chicken and North Atlantic salmon and enjoy an open beer and wine bar.
For about $175, guests can dine buffet-style in the foyer to the ballroom and join the ballroom once dancing begins. The doors between both rooms will remain open so “general admission” buffet guests can watch the pomp and circumstance of the ceremonies.
Lt. Col. Conroy expects 2,000 people to attend and there are only about 10 tables left. As of Dec. 1, all tables have been sold and only general admission tickets are left.
“It’s been very hectic,” he said. “The phones have been ringing, the website is getting a lot of hits. I think people are excited.”
In his almost 40 years of involvement with inaugural balls, he said he likes the change.
“It’s a nice touch,” he said. “I would have liked a bigger venue but it would have taken a real effort to make it look like a ballroom.”
Doors open for the ball at 6 p.m. The First Company Governor’s Foot Guard originally planned to begin ceremonies around 8 p.m., but may change the time to 7:30 p.m. to accommodate the sit-down dinner. Dancing will last until shortly after midnight.
For ticket information, potential guests can call 860-724-3508 or visit www.ctinauguralball.com.
Tags: Malloy, Inauguaration, Foot Guard, ballroom
(5) Comments
posted by: Disgruntled | November 26, 2010 11:08am
On thing is for sure. There will be PLENTY of pork on the menu after the party!
Also,in regards to #10 on Robert Rinkers list,watch. Dan LOVES to use “studies” as trial balloons to test the political winds. Connecticut will end up with four years of studies by consultants with very little to show for it or he will use Bulldog Ben Barnes to push his agenda and take the fall when things do not go well.
Who is paying for this little ball? Not a wise move,no matter how you spin it,in these lean times.
posted by: hawkeye | November 26, 2010 4:09pm
Dan Malloy was always “a big spender,aas a Mayor, which led to higher taxes in Stamford!”
Nothing has changed, as Malloy is not practicing austerity, as Governor.
posted by: ... | November 26, 2010 5:16pm
A great spot I say. Keeping it right at the heart of CT & utilizing the big projects we built for Hartford.
It also appears more open to the public than past events.
I have to comment though hawkeye, Malloy isn’t even governor yet, so either you are planning to prejudge him based on a ceremony, or you simply put in a grammar/spelling mistake.
posted by: hawkeye | November 27, 2010 12:35pm
JonesAC12:
You can brag about Dan Malloy, before he gets inagurated into office. Hopefully, for the success for the State of Connecticut, we all can brag about him, in the future. You have to wait, however, JonesAC12, before you thank him for a job well done!
posted by: ... | November 28, 2010 12:23am
Oh yes totally agree hawkeye. I do hope we can all brag or feel pride about him over the next 4 years. I see him as not a perfect guy, like all of us, and I disagree with him on some less than important issues.
All I was saying prior though is that people shouldn’t grumble about this event, held for every incoming governor for decades if they believe it is coming (at a fraction of a penny) from our pockets.
If he chose not to hold it ‘to reduce the deficit’ we would see people damning him from not upholding tradition or trying to make political moves.
But I wish the state best and hope Dan, Nancy, and the rest of the incoming team will really face the challenges and conquer them in order for our state to heal.