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LAS CRUCES - "Governor Elect Susana Martinez and Chuck Franco request your presence at the Inaugural Send off Gala at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Las Cruces Convention Center" reads the dramatic, black, white and shocking pink "SUSANA!" invitation for Las Cruces' bash celebrating New Mexico's first woman governor.
But if you didn't get a personal invitation - or didn't get your RSVP in by Dec. 20, you're out of luck and you'll have to miss the gala dinner and dance.
About 1,200 people are expected to greet Martinez, who'll be dressed in a black formal evening gown, at Thursday's event. They'll dance to DJ music and chow down on treats that will include beef tenderloin, roast pork, green chile mashed potatoes and carrots with champagne sauce, event planners report.
Among those attending will be former county commissioner Kent Evans and his wife, Anna Mae.
"I'm going to both events: here in Las Cruces and we'll also be going up to Santa Fe to the inauguration and ball up there. I think it's a real significant event and something I just want to be able to say I was there," Evans said.
Mark Van Dyke, chairman of the Do-a Ana County Republican Party, said he's especially looking forward to Thursday's gala.
"We couldn't be more proud of Gov.-elect Martinez and I think it's the proper way to kick off celebrations of the inaugural and send her off in style, here with the folks she's served for years as district attorney," said Van Dyke, who also plans head to Santa Fe
If you can't get to the Las Cruces send-off gala, there are still opportunities to watch history being made as the nation's first elected female governor of Hispanic descent takes her oath of office, if you can manage a Saturday run to Santa Fe.
The Inaugural Swearing-in Ceremony is at 10 a.m. Saturday on the Santa Fe Plaza followed by a noon public reception at the Museum of Fine Arts, 107 W. Palace Ave., also on the plaza. Both events are free and open to all.
A new event, The Children's Ball, open to kids ages 5 to 11, accompanied by one chaperone, runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Santa Fe Children's Museum, 1050 Old Pecos Trail. For reservations and to RSVP (required) call (505) 872-2070.
Nancy Lucero of Las Cruces said she is planning a trip to Santa Fe this weekend, with her husband Rick and daughter Ricki Lynn, 8, who's a "big fan" of the new governor.
"My husband is related to Chuck and we want to be there at the Children's Ball. Ricki Lynn already has her little ball gown and is ready to go," Lucero said.
The Bold Inaugural Ball, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Santa Fe Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St., is an invitation-only event and the 2,400 slots are all filled, organizers said.
Among co-chairs for the Santa Fe inaugural events is Janet Green, director of the New Mexico State University School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, who also served as tourism secretary for Gov. Gary Johnson and helped with the Johnson inaugural.
"It's going to be cold and cozy in Santa Fe. I understand Susana will be the first governor to have a swearing-in on the Santa Fe Plaza. She also wanted to do something for children. At the children's ball, they'll have an opportunity to meet the governor and she will sign some books and do some line dancing with the children," Green said. "As part of the Coats for Kids program, people are also invited to bring warm coats to donate to any of the inaugural events."
She said Las Crucens will see some familiar faces entertaining at the Saturday Inaugural Ball.
"We wanted to infuse the inaugural ball with talent from New Mexico, including Bob Burns and the Mike Caranda Orchestra, which will feature former Las Cruces Mayor Ruben Smith and singers Judy Day and Lauren Michaels and the New Mexico DanceSport team will entertain," she said.
For more information on inaugural events, and a list of Santa Fe hotels with special inaugural rates, visit susanamartinezinaugural.com or call the inaugural committee at (505) 872-2070.
S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at (575) 541-5450.
