BATON ROUGE (AP) — An estimated 11,000 invitations have been sent for Gov.-elect John Bel Edwards' swearing-in ceremony set for Jan. 11.
But Edwards spokesman Richard Carbo says people from around Louisiana don't need an invitation to attend the ceremony on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol. Edwards will take the oath of office at noon that day, and the ceremony opens at 11:30 a.m.
Carbo says the governor-elect is encouraging anyone interested to attend the ceremony, which is the only inaugural event that will be open to the general public.
A morning mass at a downtown Baton Rouge cathedral and a black-tie ball in the evening are invitation-only. Carbo said Tuesday that 5,000 invitations have been sent for the inaugural ball, to be held at a local film studio.
