Historic inauguration: Crowds expected as Wes Moore set to take oath of office in Md.

Wes Moore is set to be sworn-in Wednesday, during a historic inauguration at the state capitol in Annapolis that will see him become Maryland’s first Black governor.

The ceremony is set for noon Wednesday outside the state house in Annapolis. The event, which will take place outdoors and is free to the public, is expected to draw large crowds.

if you’re planning to attend, more details about parking, shuttles and other information is available online.

Aruna Miller, Maryland’s lieutenant governor-elect, will also be sworn in. She will be the state’s first woman of color and the first immigrant to hold the job.

Moore, a bestselling author, nonprofit CEO and combat veteran, won a landslide victory over Republican Del. Dan Cox in November’s election. Since then, Moore has sounded an optimistic bipartisan tone, pledging to “leave no one behind” and promising a series of progressive policies.

The inaugural festivities, which will take place on historic Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis, will include musical performances and remarks from officials.

Moore, a Democrat, is set to take the oath of office with his hand on a Bible once owned by abolitionist Frederick Douglass who was born into slavery in Maryland. Use of the Bible, which is part of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site museum in D.C., required special permission from the National Park Service, according to The Washington Post.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, there will be a receiving line for the public.

Tickets for the main ballroom at the evening’s inaugural ball at the Baltimore Convention Center, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, have already sold out but there were still limited “second-stage” tickets as of Wednesday morning.

The ceremonies take place under a newly-restored Maryland State House dome. The $7.5 million project to restore the dome included replacing shingles, wood trim and windows. The project was completed earlier this month. The Maryland state house is the oldest U.S. state capitol in continuous legislative use.

Earlier this month, Anthony Brown was sworn in as Maryland’s new attorney general — the first African American to hold the position — and Brooke Lierman was sworn in as state comptroller — the first woman to hold the position.

As governor, Moore succeeds outgoing Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who leaves office with a 77% approval rating and is widely thought to be eyeing a 2024 presidential run.