Warwick elected officials will take to the stage to celebrate the inauguration of Mayor Scott Avedisian, the City Council and the School Committee at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at Ocean State Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard.

“I want to highlight Ocean State Theatre,” Avedisian said when asked why he had chosen that location for the ceremony.

But there’s more to it than a stage and a theater with good views from every seat.

Referring to the comments he will make, Avedisian said, “I think you will see trends to focus on City Centre Warwick,” he said. City Centre is an area bounded by Jefferson Boulevard on the west and Green Airport to the east, which has been identified for development.

Might this mean the administration has an announcement concerning new developments in the area?

“I certainly hope so,” Avedisian answered.

A location other than City Hall for inaugural ceremonies is not unique.

When operational, the Windjammer and Palladium at Rocky Point were popular locations. Other more recent locations include the Crowne Plaza, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet and Pilgrim High School. Avedisian moved the inauguration to City Hall to show off the extensive renovations to the City Council Chambers.

The Inaugural program features a prelude by the Pawtuxet Rangers, R.I.M. and the Pawtuxet Rangers Fife and Drum Corps and a procession of honor guards from the Rangers and the Warwick Fire and Police Departments and the Homenetmen Scouts of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church.

Councilman Steven Colantuono will serve as master of ceremonies. Sophie Colantuono, daughter of Councilman and Mrs. Steven Colantuono, will sing the national anthem. Kathleen and Elizabeth Vitale will lead the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Warwick resident and Rhode Island State Poet Laureate Rick Benjamin will read an original poem.

Reverend James Bocchino, priest in charge, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will give the invocation, the Very Reverend Gomidas Baghsarian, archpriest and pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church and Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman of Temple Beth-El will offer prayers for public service, and Rev. Robert Marciano, pastor of St. Kevin’s Roman Catholic Church, will give the benediction.

Paige and Savannah Lenney will hold the Avedisian family Bible as the mayor is sworn in by Family Court Chief Judge Haiganush Bedrosian. Avedisian will, in turn, swear in the City Council and School Committee members and will also give remarks. Cora McAuliffe will sing “Let All Things Now Living,” The Episcopal Conference Center Hymn, and “Lord of All Hopefulness.” The Providence Police Pipe and Drums Band, which includes Lieutenant Carl Pecchia of the Warwick Fire Department, will perform during the recessional.

Council members taking the oath of office are: Steven Colantuono, Thomas Chadronet, Camille Vella-Wilkinson, Joseph Solomon, Edgar Ladouceur, Donna Travis, Kathleen Usler, Joseph Gallucci, and Steven Merolla.

Three School Committee members will be sworn in: Eugene A. Nadeau, Mary T. Medeiros and Bethany Furtado. 

The public is invited to attend. While there is no charge for the event, attendees are asked to bring a canned good to benefit the Westbay Marketplace food pantry. 

On Saturday, Jan. 3, an Inaugural Mass will be held at 4 p.m. at Saint Kevin’s Roman Catholic Church, 333 Sandy Lane. Immediately following the mass, a dinner will take place in Father O’Hara Hall. The cost is $25 per person. All proceeds will benefit the St. Kevin’s School Playground Fund.

On Sunday, Jan. 4, an Inaugural Service of Thanksgiving will be held for Mayor Avedisian at 10 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 139 Ocean Avenue, Cranston. Trinity is Mayor Avedisian’s parish, where his family has worshiped for generations.