If you are planning to be in downtown Austin Tuesday afternoon, be prepared for some traffic snarl — or just settle in and enjoy the Texas Inauguration Celebration. It’s all part of the festivities following the swearing-in of Gov. Greg Abbott on the south steps of the State Capitol at noon. Following the inauguration, you can grab some barbecue (several tons of it!) on the Capitol lawn for just $10, followed by the Inaugural Parade down Congress Avenue at 2 p.m. The parade will include several floats, the Texas Aggie Marching Band and lots of politicians. Check here for planned street closures. If you’re not in the mood to go home early, you can attend the Inaugural Ball at 8 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center. Tickets are $75, and the entertainment is headlined by Lady Antebellum.
Mark Richardson is a multimedia journalist, editor and writer who has worked in digital, print and broadcast media for three decades. He is a nationally recognized editor and reporter who has covered government,... More by Mark Richardson