Cranston’s inaugural activities, as required by the city’s charter, will take place as scheduled on Monday, Jan. 4.

But the proceedings will have a very different look this year, with the pandemic forcing the typical pomp and circumstance to be significantly scaled back.

“Because of the anticipated restrictions for large gatherings and the need for proper social distancing, most parts of the inauguration will be conducted virtually,” Mayor-elect Ken Hopkins said in a statement outlining the inaugural plans. “We will provide public access for viewing through social media like Facebook, YouTube and the city website as part of a planned webinar on Zoom.”

The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers, with Mayor Allan Fung, the city’s outgoing chief executive, administering the oath of office to Hopkins. After the new mayor delivers his inaugural address, he will swear in the members of the City Council and School Committee, who will be participating virtually.

The City Council will then convene its first meeting of the new term, with business to include the election of the body’s new president and vice president and the appointment of committee chairs, Municipal Court judges and other city officials.

“We are mindful of the continued public health concerns and I along with the members of the City Council and School Committee will participate in a much different ceremony than the traditional inaugural program we typically hold in Cranston,” Hopkins said in the release. “It will still be a celebration of a new term for our local government to start off a hopeful 2021.”

Dennis and Liz DeJesus – executive director of Special Olympics Rhode Island and donor relations manager for Crossroads Rhode Island, respectively – served as chairs of the 2021 inaugural committee, according to Hopkins’s release.

Former Mayor Michael A. Traficante, City Clerk Leanne Zarrella, Deputy City Clerk Rosalba Zanni, Hopkins’s incoming Director of Administration Anthony Moretti, Robin M. Melfi-Coia, Jeff Butler, Kerri Sears, Steven Paiva and attorney Robert D. Murray also took part in the inaugural planning.