Helena Moreno swaps inaugural ball for community events
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Inauguration events kick off Saturday for Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, with several open to the public.
Why it matters: Moreno canceled the "fancy" inaugural ball — citing the city's current budget crisis — and opted for community events instead.
The big picture: The activities start Saturday morning with a day of service across the city. Volunteers will work on NORD playgrounds, parks and recreation centers.
- Sign up to volunteer.
- In the afternoon, there's a free community festival at Lafayette Square with music, food trucks and family-friendly activities from noon to 5pm. See the lineup.
- Moreno says she and the incoming council members will be available to talk with the public at the festival.
On Sunday, the Archdiocese of New Orleans is holding an inauguration Mass for Moreno at the St. Louis Cathedral.
- Gayle Benson is organizing the Mass in partnership with the archdiocese.
- It is closed to the public, but will be livestreamed here at 5pm.
On Monday, Moreno and the City Council members will be sworn in at an invite-only event at the Saenger Theatre.
- Kamala Harris is likely to attend. The former vice president is friends with Moreno and kicks off her book tour in New Orleans on Tuesday.
- The event will be livestreamed at 9am.
By the numbers: Moreno says donations and private sponsorships are paying for the inaugural events amid the city's budget crisis.
- "I wanted to ensure that no public dollars, no city funds, would be utilized on any of the inauguration ceremonies," Moreno says.
Go deeper: Full schedule.