Public Invited to Mayor’s Inaugural Events
Swearing in and picnic mark beginning of second term

The public is invited to help kick off the second term of Mayor Mark Begich by attending the swearing-in ceremony, followed by the Mayor’s Family Picnic, on June 30.

The swearing-in begins at noon in the Discovery Theatre of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. The picnic will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in Town Square Park. Seating for the swearing-in is limited, so those interested in attending are urged to arrive early.

“Leading the city of Anchorage is a great honor and responsibility,” Begich said. “Anchorage’s economy is booming, and my second term will be focused on completing the many projects we initiated in the first term while ensuring that every Anchorage citizen benefits from our prosperity.”

Mayor Begich will be given the oath of office by Court Master William Hitchcock. The swearing-in ceremony Master of Ceremonies is Janie Leask, President and CEO of First Alaskans Institute. The ceremony will also include a speech by Mayor Begich outlining his vision for the second term, as well as performances by the Anchorage Concert Chorus and the Polynesian dance group “Choose the Right.”

The mayor’s speech will highlight some of the achievements during his first term and outline goals for the next three years, including completing downtown renovations, more broadly involving Anchorage’s diverse community and property tax relief.

The Mayor’s Family Picnic will feature a variety of activities including music, dance performances, clowns, face painting, bouncy houses, a magician, a giant flag cake, and great barbeque.

Players from the Kelly Cup champion Alaska Aces hockey team will be on hand to sign autographs, and the Kelly Cup will be on display and available for photographs. The Georgia peanuts and chocolate-covered raisins from Fresno, California, that were sent to Mayor Begich after the Aces beat the Fresno Falcons and the Gwinnett, Georgia, Gladiators to win the cup will be available for public consumption. The peanuts and raisins are the bounty from friendly wagers between mayors of the cities during the championship series.

All of the inaugural events are free.

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