A slight change of plans for the inauguration

Fog stopped Wally Earhart and Ken Engels from flying into Washington, D.C., on Tuesday for the presidential inauguration after Frontier Airlines canceled their Reno flight.

"We have back-up plans," said Earhart from Carson City. "If they cancel the flight (this) morning, I'm going to take us to Sacramento to fly out of there."

Earhart, who portrays Abraham Lincoln for area organizations and schools, said he was invited several weeks ago to be Lincoln in the inaugural parade.

He will be accompanied by actor Mickey Rooney and by a person playing George Washington.

"Mickey Rooney is dressing up as someone he played in one of the movies," he said. "I don't know who yet. I didn't ask."

Engels, a pump operator driver with the Carson City Fire Department for 29 years, was asked to join the inauguration as a firefighter from Nevada.

He will walk in a parade entry about the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental roadway to stretch from California to New York. Thirty-four firefighters from states along the highway will carry their state flags.

"I'm real excited," Engels said. "I'm just thinking this is the opportunity of a lifetime, and just to carry the state flag and be in the capital, just to do it is so much of an honor. It's something I can tell my kids. I mean, how many people march in the parade?"

Also at the inauguration will be Gov. Kenny Guinn and his Chief of Staff Mike Hillerby.

Greg Bortolin, director of communications for the governor, said Guinn has a busy schedule, including eight meetings today.

"He'll be going to several governor's meetings while he's back there," Bortolin said. "There is a pre-inaugural brunch and then the parade. He'll be at the swearing-in and attend a Republican Governor's event that's black tie. He'll fly back early Friday morning."

Bortolin said the governor will also try to find the two bands from Northern Nevada that are marching in the inaugural parade.

"I know he's going to attempt to say hello to both the Douglas High and McQueen bands," Bortolin said.

State Treasurer Brian Krolicki has already flown into the nation's capital to attend the inauguration and the Nevada State Society Ball, his press secretary said.

Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.