Tuesday at noon the state’s five general officers will be sworn in. The public is free to attend the inauguration ceremony and a ball a day later.

Anyone attending the ceremony must be in their seats on the south lawn of the State House by 11:45 a.m. The event is expected to last a little more than an hour and a public reception will follow in the State House.

The ball will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday at Rhodes-On-The-Pawtuxet in Cranston. The ball is free and open to the public. No tickets are required but fire personnel will be there to ensure that capacity does not exceed 2,000 people.

The governor’s office is encouraging people to car pool. Light hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and coffee will be served and there will be a cash bar. Entertainment will be provided by the Night Life Orchestra, which, for you political observers, includes former Rhode Island National Guard Adjutant Gen. Reginald A. Centracchio, who unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor this year as a Republican.

-- Journal staff writers Katherine Gregg, Scott Mayerowitz, Scott Mackay and Elizabeth Gudrais