Deval Patrick has generated so much enthusiasm that the Governor-elect is holding five regional celebrations to mark his inauguration, in addition to a ball held in Boston. The North Shore and Merrimack Valley inauguration reception will take place Jan. 5 at Merrimack College.

"The Worcester event is already sold out, and the Pittsfield one is almost sold out, so people should not delay getting their tickets to the Merrimack Valley/North Shore reception," said Elizabeth Neumeier, who was the Cape Ann coordinator for Patrick's campaign.

At $20 per ticket, the price is set to cover the cost of the celebration, but be affordable to local residents and families. Children and teenagers are also welcome at a reduced price.

The reception is one of five regional events scheduled around the state. Organizers promote the regional celebrations as a chance for people to meet the new governor and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, while also showing off the local culture to the new governor and attendees.

"This is meant to be very inclusive and totally open to the public," said M.J. Powell, who is the treasurer of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Powell said the celebration is a chance for all the people who once went door to door campaigning for Patrick to now go door to door inviting people to meet whom they voted for.

"I'm amused some people were annoyed, saying, 'Why does he have to have so many celebrations?' He doesn't have to have them; he wants to have them," she said.

Other regional events will be in Pittsfield, Springfield, Hyannis and North Dartmouth. The inaugural ball will take place at the Boston Convention Center Jan. 4. That event will be black tie optional and $50.

"This is a celebration for a new kind of governor, who is looking to fill the needs of all the people," said Susan Wadia-Ells, who was volunteer town coordinator for the Patrick campaign in Manchester.

Wadia-Ells also noted that more than 450 Cape Ann residents volunteered for the campaign, and local organizations were the key to Patrick's success.

"I don't think you usually see a gubernatorial campaign that organizes at the precinct level across communities," she said.

Shirley Kountze of Andover said the local event will still be dressy, but not as formal.

"I guess you would call it cocktail casual," she said.

Kountze, who retired from being an elementary school principal in Medford three years ago, said the almost two years she spent involved in Patrick's campaign were the first time she was ever been involved politically more than voting.

She was drawn to his message about getting people re-engaged in their communities and in politics, a message she said will be an important piece of all the inaugural events.

At the North Andover event, an area will be set up where local nonprofit and political organizations can offer information about what they do and how to get involved.

"You can get ideas of how you can re-engage, and have a chance to wish the new governor well at the same time," she said.

The event will also feature the work of local artists in a juried show and the sounds of local musicians. Daisy Nell and Capt. Stan of Beverly will perform sea chanties, and the Phillips Academy Gospel Choir will perform. The headline band will be the blues band Sweet Willie D and the North Shore All Stars.

If you want to attend

The event will be 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5 at Merrimack College's Sakowich Campus Center, 315 Turnpike St. in North Andover.

Tickets are available online at jan4th.org for $20 per person.

Cape Ann residents can call The Bookstore at 978-281-1548 and ask for Elizabeth Neumeier to purchase tickets, or to pick up tickets that they paid for online. Manchester residents needing tickets can call Susan Wadia-Ells at 978-526-8702.

People can also pick up their tickets at the college on Jan. 3 from 3 to 7 p.m., or starting at 5 p.m. on the day of the event. Organizers emphasize that the room has a capacity of 1,000, so people should get their tickets ahead of time.