Justin A. Hinkley

Lansing State Journal

LANSING – Snyder or the Spartans? Snyder or the Spartans?

Gov. Rick Snyder handily bested challenger Mark Schauer in November's gubernatorial election, but he could face a tougher challenge as he's sworn into his second term on Thursday: battling Michigan State University football players for an audience.

The governor's inauguration ceremony at the Capitol runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, overlapping the 12:30 p.m. kickoff of MSU's Cotton Bowl game against Baylor University in Texas.

The public inauguration will bring much fanfare — a performance by 126th Army Band of the Michigan National Guard, an invocation by Pastor Lawrence Glass Jr. of Detroit's El Bethel Baptist Church, a 19-cannon salute, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan as emcee all are on the docket — and Snyder spokesman Dave Murray said in an email "several hundred" people are expected to attend.

Plus, Murray noted, "there is plenty of time for people to come and watch history being made on the Capitol steps and be home in time to watch history being made on the gridiron."

The inauguration includes the ceremony on the Capitol's east lawn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a receiving line from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the governor's ceremonial office on the second floor of the building. Both of those events are free.

A $150-per-person formal gala Thursday night at the Lansing Center is sold out.

Spartans will be part of the pomp, as newly elected MSU Trustees George Perles and Melanie Foster will be sworn in alongside Snyder, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, Attorney General Bill Schuette, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, members of the state Board of Education and other state university board members.

Those planning to skip the inaugural but travel to a sports bar or a buddy's house to catch the game will want to avoid the Capitol. Several roads surrounding the statehouse will be closed beginning at 7:30 a.m. and lasting until 1 p.m.

The Lansing Public Service Department said Capitol Avenue between West Ottawa and West Allegan streets will be closed beginning around 7:30 a.m. Other streets will be closed as needed throughout the morning until 10:30 a.m., when all streets around the Capitol — including portions of West Allegan, West Ottawa and North Walnut streets and West Michigan and Capitol avenues — are closed until early afternoon.

Another potential foe for Snyder's event could be the weather. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids forecasts a partly sunny day on Thursday, but a high of only 27 degrees and breezy conditions.

Those planning to attend should arrive early for a spot on the lawn, the governor's office said. Free parking will be available around the Capitol.

The next bit of ceremony for the Capitol will happen Jan. 14, when swearing-in ceremonies for new lawmakers is scheduled. Then, Snyder's State of the State address happens Jan. 20.

Snyder's second inauguration, at a glance:

Michigan's 48th governor, Republican Rick Snyder, will be sworn in for a second four-year term Thursday on the east steps of the Capitol. Here are some things to know about inauguration day:

HIGH NOON

Snyder, 56, will take the oath of office from state Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. at noon, per Article 11, Section 2 of the Michigan Constitution, which says terms of elected state officials begin at 12 p.m. on the Jan. 1 after their election. Snyder's three adult children will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

THE MESSAGE

Snyder plans to speak for less than 15 minutes, looking back on his ambitious first term and ahead to the next one. He will touch on policy goals — a big focus is developing a talented workforce to do skilled jobs that employers are having trouble filling. He also will focus on "high-level culture change" under his watch, spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said. He no doubt will mention his problem-solving gubernatorial style: "relentless positive action."

THE CEREMONY

Anyone can attend the swearing-in ceremony, which starts at 11:30 a.m. and will be emceed by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Free parking will be available around the Capitol. Highlights include performances by the 126th Army Band of the Michigan National Guard and a 19-cannon salute. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley will greet the public in a receiving line from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

THE GLITZ

Tickets to an inaugural gala Thursday night at the nearby Lansing convention center run $150 but are sold out. Approximately 1,000 people are expected to attend.

THE COST

Snyder's volunteer inaugural committee isn't indicating how much it plans to raise for the event, which is being paid for with private funds and no public money. But for his first inauguration in 2011, organizers anticipated raising about $1.3 million.

— At a glance by David Eggert, the Associated Press