Monday will be the first time most of Missouri's top elected officials will have a formal inauguration ceremony on the steps of the state Capitol for their current positions, and the occasion will also be at the start of the year marking the state's 200th anniversary.
Gov. Mike Parson will be sworn in for his first full term as governor, as will be Attorney General Eric Schmitt, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick - only Ashcroft had been elected to his position before November 2020.
The ceremony's events will start at approximately 11 a.m., but final preparations will begin hours ahead of time.
The Downtown Jefferson City association shared last week that, according to the Jefferson City Police Department, the 100 and 200 blocks of West High Street, Jefferson Street north of the Capitol, and all roads and drives circling the Capitol would be closed at 10 p.m. tonight until 11 p.m. Monday for inauguration festivities.
Gates on the south lawn of the Capitol will open for guests at 9 a.m. The ceremony is free and open to the public, but guests were encouraged to RSVP in advance in order to ensure social distancing could be maintained in event seating, according to the events' website.
Those with digital tickets are asked to have them ready for check-in. Masks will be made available to all attendees and are encouraged to be worn, hand sanitizer will be provided, and everyone will have to go through a health and security screening before entering.
Parking information is available at movingmoforward.com/plan-your-trip/. There will be some concentrations of public parking available downtown, including the parking garages at the corners of Madison Street and Capitol Avenue, and Monroe Street and East State Street, but most public parking will be located in some of the state employee lots west of the Capitol.
Guests are asked to dress appropriately for the weather, as it is an outdoor event.
The Missouri Bicentennial Inauguration Committee can be reached for questions at 573-416-0017.
The ceremony will begin with remarks by Gary Kremer, executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri.
Kremer's remarks - preceded by musical selections from the 135th Missouri Army National Guard Band - will be followed by a performance by the Missouri State University Chorale and an invocation by Rev. Billy Russell, who is senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Parson's hometown of Bolivar.
The national anthem will then be performed by Parson's granddaughter, Alicia House, and son-in-law, Jonathan House.
The Pledge of Allegiance and posting of colors will be followed by scripture readings from Rabbi Yosef David and Pastor John Modest Miles, before the oaths of office will be administered to the statewide elected officials - with Parson going last, his oath to be administered by Judge Sarah Castle.
Parson will then deliver his inaugural address, and the ceremony will conclude at approximately 12:30 p.m. after a benediction by Bishop Shawn McKnight, of the Diocese of Jefferson City, and a Salute to Missouri presentation honoring the 24th state.
A livestreamed remote viewing option for the ceremony will also be available at movingmoforward.com/watch/.