Inside the Inaugural Ball: Cadets Represent VMI on Richmond's Grand Stage

On Saturday, January 19th, 2026, the festivities celebrating the inauguration of Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger moved indoors to Richmond's Main Street Station, where supporters of the Spanberger campaign were able to revel as they saw the fruits of their labor come to a triumphant close. A crowd of some 2,500 attendants rejoiced as they ate and drank lavishly in a spectacular venue, which was right for the occasion. The event brought a sense of elegance with a loose black-tie dress code, a conservative fashion choice befitting the historic location. The location, a historic train station, is situated in the middle of Richmond. Built in 1901, the Main Street Station served as the main rail hub for the city and surrounding areas. To this day, the station retains its original function, with renovations in 2007 that turned it into a venue for the most important events in Richmond and the state. Inside was a long hall lined with windows on either side, offering beautiful views of the cityscape. The venue featured two distinct environments at opposite ends; one side offered a more rustic feel, with pop-up cocktail bars and a buffet serving American comfort food. Guests enjoyed tastings from local breweries and cideries, alongside dishes showcasing Virginia farm produce and regional recipes. A bar at the end called 'The People's Bar' was an attempt to play off Spanberger's policy of unifying the people of Virginia through quality representation. It was a rustic bar with park benches. The opposing side presented a much more luxurious atmosphere, with a seafood bar featuring oysters and a bar that resembled the extravagant theme of the party. Seeing Cadets wearing Cotee at the ball caused many guests to approach and talk about VMI. A surprising reception, opposed to the looks cadets received from the public at the inaugural parade. Ongoers of the ball talked to us about knowing someone from VMI or that their son or daughter was looking to attend VMI. All interactions with guests were incredibly positive, with many taking photos with The Cadet staff present. Cadets had a brief conversation with a new Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Board of Visitors (BOV) member, Col. Michael Dick '77, appointed by Governor Spanberger that day. He discussed his career to date, but did not mention any plans for VMI. Shortly after speaking to Col. Dick, Abigail Spanberger took the stage. Spanberger took the stage with her whole family to give a brief speech. The new governor and First Gentleman, Adam Spanberger, hosted the event, making a grand entrance to applause. Governor Spanberger wore custom jewellery created by local artisan Mallory Martin-Parker, which highlights her agenda of staying connected with local businesses. The speech began with remarks about how supportive her family had been throughout the campaign. Then, she triumphed in the election and alluded to big changes she was about to make. Spanberger acknowledged all the people in the room who had donated or assisted in other ways to secure her victory. Her speech was brief as she introduced Dave Matthews to the stage. Dave Matthews, a musician, took the stage and gave some political remarks that challenged Washington, D.C., and the Trump Administration. Following Matthews' comments, he performed a private concert for those in attendance. Guests seemed to enjoy the concert by dancing and singing along. At the peak, there were some 2,500 in attendance. The number of guests reached a critical point around halfway through the night when Dave Matthews took the stage in the middle of the station. Whether it was too many people or the sheer number of drinks some were consuming, guests began to drop like flies. The crowd was jam-packed, which contributed to guests falling ill. These guests were older and likely dehydrated, so it was no surprise when problems began to arise. Members of the media who were taking pictures on the floor sought refuge on the media riser to save themselves from the worsening scene on the floor. At a party with that many people and open bars, there will always be a few who forget about water. Besides those slight issues, the ball was seamless. Abigail Spanberger's staff were incredibly nice to all cadets on The Cadet staff throughout all the inaugural events. On many occasions, they went above and beyond to assist, whether that meant early access or other special privileges. These acts of kindness made cadets comfortable in an environment they were mostly foreign to, creating a conducive environment for learning and reporting. Please consider donating to help The Cadet remain independent at www.thecadetfoundation.org. We do not receive any funds from VMI or VMI AA, remaining true to our founding to be the independent voice of the Corps and alumni since 1871.