RALEIGH, N.C. — Volunteers are working hard to make sure the inaugural ball goes off with out a hitch. About 400 volunteers will have put in 21,000 hours by the time the festivities are over.

Events kick of on Thursday with the Gala Presentation and Inaugural Ball on Friday.

This year’s event organized by the Junior League of Raleigh will benefit the league’s newest initiative, the Center for Community Leadership.

“Because of the economy and the impact it’s having on our North Carolina non-profit sector, we are really excited about offering these new training programs, meeting space and networking opportunities free of cost to our non-profits,” said Junior League of Raleigh President , Virginia Yopp.

Tickets are still available, click here for more information.

The series of events honoring all the newly elected officials can be found at http://www.ncgovernorsball.org and also is listed below:

Council of State Reception
January 8, 2009, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Raleigh Marriott City Center
$125 per person
Rock the Ball
sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline and University of Phoenix
January 8, 2009, 9 p.m. – midnight
Lincoln Theatre
$20 per person

Governor’s Reception
January 9, 2009, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Raleigh Convention Center
North Carolina’s Finest Gala Presentation
January 9, 2009, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Raleigh Convention Center
$200 per person (includes an inaugural ball ticket)

Inaugural Ball
January 9, 2009, 9 p.m. – midnight
Raleigh Convention Center
$125 per person

Inauguration Ceremony
Jan. 10, 2009 – 10:30 a.m.
State Archives
109 Jones St., Raleigh
Followed by the Parade and open house at the Governor’s Mansion.