Media Advisory

Public ticket and registration links are now available

WILMINGTON— Today, Delaware Governor-elect Matt Meyer announced two weeks of events meant to celebrate his inauguration as governor, the diversity of our communities, and a new era of leadership for all Delawareans. Public ticket links and registration links are now available.

The inaugural celebration events kick off on Saturday, January 11, with a public walking tour of Downtown Dover and a public bike ride in Downtown Newark, culminating with the Inaugural Ball on Tuesday, January 21, at The Queen in Downtown Wilmington. 

Additionally, as part of the inaugural celebrations, Governor-elect Meyer will be hosting community service events in each county. AmeriCorps Delaware members, including Governor-elect Meyer, will be actively involved in these events. Additionally, the PAWS for People Volunteer Delaware Dog Ambassadors will bring a heartwarming touch, showcasing the therapeutic impact of animal companionship and highlighting the role of volunteers in animal welfare at each event. Together, these events will inspire civic engagement and help shape a more prosperous future for all Delawareans. 

The events are open to the public, but registration and/or tickets are required. The only event that does not require registration is the community reception that will take place in the Governor’s Office in Legislative Hall immediately following the outdoor swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, January 21. That event is open to the public and members of the media without RSVP.

For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor-elect Meyer, please contact Mila Myles at mila.myles@delaware.gov. All events, except the Inaugural Ball, are open to the press, but members of the media must RSVP by following the designated instructions for each event below.

Schedule of Community-based Inaugural Celebration Events:

Saturday, January 11

WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN DOVER

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer, Dover officials, members of the public
• WHEN: 10:30 am – 11:30 am ET
• WHERE: Downtown Dover; start at Janaid’s Salon for Men, 211 W. Loockerman St. 
• WHAT: Governor-elect Matt Meyer will tour Downtown Dover with community leaders and members of the public, visiting various small businesses and greeting customers and staff.
• PUBLIC RSVP FORM: https://bit.ly/walkdover 
• MEDIA RSVP FORM: https://bit.ly/mediawalkdover

BIKE TOUR OF DOWNTOWN NEWARK

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer, UD students, community officials, and members of the public
• WHEN: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET
• WHERE:  Downtown Newark; start and end at Newark Bike Project in Newark Shopping Center
• WHAT: Governor-elect Matt Meyer will lead a 2-mile bike tour of Downtown Newark, beginning and ending at the Newark Bike Project. Governor-elect Meyer will stop at several businesses along the way, giving folks the perfect opportunity to meet and interact with their incoming governor. Bring your bike and helmet, and be ready for a fun ride! 
• PUBLIC RSVP FORM: https://bit.ly/bikenewarkde 
• MEDIA RSVP FORM: https://bit.ly/mediabikenewarkde

Saturday, January 18

• INAUGURAL BIKE RIDE AT CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK
  • WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer, community officials, and members of the public
  • WHEN: 10:00 am  – 12:00 pm ET
  • WHERE:  15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958; start and end at the Biden Center.
  • WHAT: Governor-elect Matt Meyer will lead an out-and-back bike ride with community leaders and members of the public invited to attend. Bring your bike and helmet, and be ready for a fun ride! 
  • PUBLIC RSVP FORM: https://bit.ly/bikethedecoast 
  • MEDIA RSVP FORM: https://bit.ly/mediacoastride

Sunday, January 19

FIRST LADY OF DELAWARE INAUGURAL BRUNCH

• WHO: Incoming First Lady Lauren Meyer, community leaders, members of the public
• WHEN: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm ET
• WHERE:  Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, 1301 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach, DE 19971
• WHAT: Incoming First Lady of Delaware Lauren Meyer will host a brunch event featuring community leaders from across the state. The event is open to the public, but tickets must be purchased in advance. 
• PUBLIC TICKET LINK: https://bit.ly/FLODbrunch 
• MEDIA RSVP: Please contact mila.myles@delaware.gov if you’re interested in covering the brunch and/or scheduling a one-on-one interview with the incoming First Lady. 

Monday, January 20 

INTERFAITH BREAKFAST

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer and religious leaders from across Delaware
• WHEN: 8:30 am – 10:30 am ET
• WHERE:  The Parlors at Delaware State University, Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center, 1200 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
• WHAT: Governor-elect Meyer will be joined by religious leaders of various faiths to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrate Delaware’s new era of leadership. 
• PUBLIC TICKET LINK: https://bit.ly/MeyerInterfaith 
• MEDIA RSVP: https://bit.ly/MediaMeyerInterfaith

Schedule of Service Events: 

Community Collection Events

DONATION DRIVES BENEFITING MILFORD ADVOCACY FOR THE HOMELESS AND LOVE INC.

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer, community leaders, and AmeriCorps Delaware members
• WHERE: Various locations across Sussex County
• WHAT: Donation drive for essential items
  • Warm clothing (coats, hats, gloves, scarves)
  • Hand warmers
  • Toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, feminine hygiene products)
  • Non-perishable food and drinks
  • To-go meal kits
• WHEN: Collection Schedule
  • Monday, January 13 through Friday, January 17: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
    • State Service Centers in Sussex County, including Milford (Annex), Adams, Pyle, Shipley, Bridgeville, and Laurel.
    • Registration Link: 
  • Tuesday, January 14: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
    • Adams State Service Center, 546 South Bedford Street, Georgetown.
    • Registration Link: 
  • Saturday, January 18: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
    • The donation drive continues alongside Governor-elect Meyer. 
    • Shipley State Service Center, 350 Virginia Ave, Seaford, DE 19973. 

Service Projects

SUSSEX COUNTY – Donation Drive in Seaford

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer, community leaders, and AmeriCorps Delaware members
• WHEN: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – exact timing subject to change
• WHERE: Shipley Service Center, 350 Virginia Ave, Seaford, DE 19973. 
• WHAT: Sorting and packing donations alongside Governor-elect Meyer. 
• PUBLIC REGISTRATION LINK: Contact ann.gorrin@delaware.gov to register.
  • Space is limited to 65 volunteers, and some activities will be outdoors.
• MEDIA RSVP:  Please RSVP to mila.myles@delaware.gov.

KENT COUNTY – Towne Point Elementary School Project

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer, community leaders, and AmeriCorps Delaware members
• WHEN: Sunday, January 19, 2025, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM ET
  • Volunteers will have two slots available: 9:00 AM–11:30 AM and 11:30 AM–2:00 PM 
• WHERE: Towne Point Elementary School, 629 Buckson Dr, Dover, DE 19901 
• WHAT: Towne Point Elementary School Service Project: Governor-elect Meyer will lead a volunteer team to revitalize Towne Point Elementary School, creating a welcoming environment for students and staff. Volunteers of all skill levels are encouraged to participate.
• PUBLIC REGISTRATION LINK: https://TownePointServiceProject.eventbrite.com 
• MEDIA RSVP:  Please RSVP to mila.myles@delaware.gov.

NEW CASTLE COUNTY – 13th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer, community leaders, and AmeriCorps Delaware members
• WHEN: Monday, January 20, 2025, 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM ET
• WHERE: Jefferson Street Center, 1801 Jefferson Street, Wilmington, DE 19802
• WHAT: Volunteers will honor Dr. King’s legacy of positive change through community service in collaboration with multiple community partners.
• PUBLIC REGISTRATION LINK: westsidegrows.org/mlkday
• MEDIA RSVP: Please RSVP to mila.myles@delaware.gov. 
• EVENT SCHEDULE:
  • Community Cleanup: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
    • Cleaning residential areas around the Jefferson Street Center.
  • Peace March: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
    • March through key Wilmington landmarks.
  • Celebration & Done-In-A-Day Service Projects: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
    • Family activities, local business shopping, and service projects hosted by community organizations.
    • Special Features: The celebration includes musical performances, guest speakers, and interactive activities for all ages. Volunteers can pre-register at westsidegrows.org/mlkday and explore additional opportunities to host service projects or participate in the Small Business Marketplace. 

Schedule of Inauguration Day Events

Tuesday, January 21 – Inauguration Day

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer and Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay
• WHEN: 9:30 am ET 
• WHERE: Legislative Mall, 410 Legislative Ave, Dover, DE 19901 
• WHAT: Governor-elect Matt Meyer and Lt. Governor-elect Gay will take the formal oath of office on the Legislative Mall at the Delaware State Capitol in Dover. State legislators, elected officials, and dignitaries from across the nation will attend the ceremony, which will be open to the public and live-streamed across various platforms for all Delawareans to watch. The event is open to the public, but tickets must be reserved in advance. The event will be outdoors, and attendees are encouraged to dress warmly. 
• PUBLIC TICKET LINK: https://bit.ly/MeyerInauguration 
• MEDIA RSVP: https://bit.ly/MediaMeyerInauguration

COMMUNITY RECEPTION 

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer and Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay
• WHEN: 11:00 am ET
• WHERE: Governor’s Office, Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Ave, Dover, DE 19901 
• WHAT: A public reception will be held inside the Governor’s Office in Legislative Hall, where Governor Meyer, Lt. Governor Gay, and their families will meet with community members. 
• PUBLIC TICKETS: Tickets are not required for the community reception.
• MEDIA RSVP: OPEN PRESS, but email mila.myles@delaware.gov to ensure ease of access and b-roll capture. 

EVENING RECEPTION – INAUGURAL BALL

• WHO: Governor-elect Matt Meyer and Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay
• WHEN: 7:00 pm ET
• WHERE: The Queen, 500 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801
• WHAT: The evening celebration will occur at The Queen in Wilmington. It will feature a special musical performance, speeches from notable figures, and an opportunity to reflect on the progress Delaware has made while looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities in the years to come under the leadership of Governor-elect Meyer. The event is open to the public, but tickets must be purchased in advance. 
• PUBLIC TICKET LINK: https://bit.ly/MeyerInauguralBall
• MEDIA RSVP: CLOSED PRESS

ABOUT DELAWARE GOVERNOR-ELECT MATT MEYER

Governor-elect Matt Meyer is a former public school math teacher and small business owner who has served as New Castle County Executive since 2017. As the leader of Delaware’s largest local government, Matt has proven that government can still work for the people–delivering real results for real people and making real progress for Delaware’s working families. Governor-elect Meyer will bring that same result-driven leadership across our state by creating an effective government that reflects our values and priorities. 

From Wilmington to Kenya and Iraq: Growing up in Delaware, Matt attended schools in the Brandywine School District, followed by Wilmington Friends School, and then studied Computer Science & Political Science at Brown University. He then moved to Nairobi, Kenya, where he learned Swahili and created Ecosandals, a recycled footwear company that sold environmentally friendly footwear to customers in 17 countries on five continents.  Matt subsequently spent 12 months in Mosul, Iraq, as a diplomat embedded with the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

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