The wait finally ended this morning for more than 1,000 customers, state and local officials and employees who witnessed a festive official opening of the IKEA store in Centennial.

The opening ceremony featured a speech from Governor John Hickenlooper, who predicted great success for the store.

“I feel a little like I am at a political rally,” Hickenlooper told the crowd. He then predicted the Centennial store, with the help of surrounding businesses, will perform better than any other IKEA in the United States.

Colorado State Representative David Balmer was on hand to raise the American flag outside the store. Shortly after, the Swedish national and Colorado state flags were raised.

Hickenlooper and Balmer then joined together to saw a beetle kill log in half. The log-sawing ritual is meant to bring good luck to the establishment.

Then the doors opened. As customers streamed into the store shortly before 9 a.m., dozens of store employees greeted them by clapping IKEA thundersticks and chanting “IKEA, IKEA” in unison. The sound at the front entrance was deafening.

People at the front of the line described the atmosphere as “amazing” and “exciting.”

Kim Ladouceur of Denver, made her way to the cafeteria to enjoy an order of Swedish meatballs, mash potatoes and lingonberry sauce. She described the meal as “Swedish deliciousness”

Shortly before 11 a.m. the line outside the door was down to nearly 100 people, but the carnival-like atmosphere continued on in the store.

Traffic was heavy in the area around the new store and a two-vehicle collision, at about 11:45 a.m. on southbound Interstate 25 near County Line Road, backed-up traffic to about Dry Creek Road.

Two lanes of the highway were shut down, and two remained open, for about 90 minutes until the wreckage was cleared.

A 19-year-old woman was injured in the rear-end collision and was taken to a local hospital, said Capt. Vince Line of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. Details on her injuries were not immediately available.

For the most part, vehicle traffic generated by the opening was heavy but moving, Line said.

Prior to the opening, the soon-to-be customers made up a circus-like scene that included blaring music and people dressed up in IKEA-themed and Swedish costumes. A chef from the IKEA cafeteria worked the crowd, showing off some of the store’s signature Swedish meatballs.

Sally Overs, from Littleton, who waited in line since Sunday morning, compared the fanfare to a wedding or graduation. “I’m overwhelmed,” Overs said, “I’m just trying to savor the moment.”

Overs was waiting for the opening with new friends – that she made while waiting in line.

Justin T. Hilley: 303-954-1064 or jhilley@denverpost.com