The Kay Ivey Inaugural Committee announced that as part of the governor’s efforts to promote children’s literacy throughout the inaugural festivities, Gov. Kay Ivey will be visiting First Class Pre-K classrooms across the state.
On Jan. 8 through Jan. 11, the week prior to the inauguration, Ivey will be reading and distributing books to more than 160 students in Pine Hill, Mobile, Huntsville and Birmingham.
Through a partnership with Books-A-Million, each child will go home with a copy of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle and “Where The Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak.
As a former teacher, Ivey made improving education in Alabama a priority of her administration. The 2019 Education Trust Fund budget is the second largest in the history of the state and includes, at the urging of Gov. Ivey, a substantial increase in the budget for Alabama’s voluntary Pre-K program for 4-year-olds. Ivey has made improving childhood literacy a focus of her pending inauguration.
Neal McCoy will headline the Gulf Coast Inaugural Celebration on January 12. Tickets to the Gulf Coast Inaugural Celebration are available to the general public and cost $25 each. In lieu of purchasing a 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 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. and is open to the public. 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.
“Investing in the next generation is critical to our ability to keep Alabama growing,” Ivey said. “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.”
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.
