Her Ball's At The Mall: Sherrill To Hold Inauguration Celebration At American Dream

NORTH JERSEY — Where better to hold an inaugural celebration for a New Jersey governor than at a mall?

The inaugural ball for Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill will be held Jan. 20 at the American Dream entertainment complex in East Rutherford. The event will take place at The Rink @ The Arena, the facility's ice rink.

About 2,000 attendees are expected at the $350-per-person event. The money will go to Sherrill's initiative Mission to Deliver NJ, which provides affordable services to vulnerable people.

Tickets will be available for the ball, celebrating both Sherrill and Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, until Jan. 12.

Pork Roll Vs. Taylor Ham

Food will include both pork roll and Taylor ham, the deli ingredients that have sparked debate in the Garden State.

"Food and entertainment will be representative of NJ and our diverse array of communities," noted a Sherrill spokesperson. "We will have food representing each of our 21 counties ... it's a taste of the best of NJ — including pork roll vs Taylor ham."

Not everyone is on board with the venue. Jeff Tittel of the Sierra Club wrote in an editorial, "Instead of celebrating at a historic landmark like the Trenton Barracks or Nassau Hall, the governor’s inaugural ball is being held at a mall: the American Dream Mall."

Numerous special events have been held at The Rink, said American Dream spokesman Gregg Schwartz. They have included the Jonas Brothers' free fan conference last March, and the Korean Business Expo and KPop concert in October. World Cup events will be held there.

"The inauguration marks an exciting moment for the state of New Jersey," he said, "celebrating the new leadership and vision of Governor-elect Sherrill. American Dream is proud to have been selected as the host of the Inaugural Ball."

Swearing In

The swearing in for Sherrill and Caldwell will be held beforehand in a different venue, Newark's NJ Performing Arts Complex, Sherill's transition team announced last month.

"I couldn’t be more honored to be sworn-in as your next governor and begin my administration in the Gateway City," Sherrill said, in announcing the location, "and as governor, I will continue showing up for Newark, Trenton, and all of New Jersey’s communities."

Tickets for the ball are here.