Cooper Inauguration Saturday, Weather Permitting | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Barry Smith, who is an associate editor for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

    RALEIGH     Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who took the oath of office just after midnight on New Year's Day, will be formally inaugurated during a 10 a.m. Saturday ceremony in front of the State Archives Building, weather permitting.

    "I certainly hope I'm not conducting the inauguration from emergency management," Cooper said jokingly Tuesday during a press conference announcing two of his Cabinet members. A wintry mix is in the forecast for Saturday, with the high expected to be around 32 degrees.

    Workers are preparing the stage in front of the State Archives Building. One worker said that if the weather is bad Saturday the ceremony will be held a few blocks away at Memorial Auditorium. A decision on where to hold the inauguration will be made by 5 p.m. Wednesday, the worker said.

    The State Archives Building occupies the block between Cooper's new home, the Executive Mansion, and the Legislative Building. It's a site traditionally used for inaugurations. For example, both Democratic Govs. Mike Easley and Bev Perdue held their inaugural ceremonies there.

    Four years ago, Republican Gov. Pat McCrory held his inaugural ceremonies on the south side of the state Capitol.

    Other members of the Council of State will be inaugurated Saturday, too.

    A pre-ceremony is planned for 8 a.m. Saturday in front of the State Archives Building. The inaugural parade is scheduled for noon Saturday on Wilmington and North streets. The new governor plans an open house at the Executive Mansion on Blount Street at 2 p.m. Sunday.