For many, an epochal event; for some, another day

Deval Patrick's inaugural committee blasted e-mail messages to tens of thousands and launched a media blitz promising hot cocoa, cookies, and a chance to shake Patrick's hand in the first-ever outdoor inaugural ceremony in Massachusetts. On his inaugural website, he says it will be a "historic occasion," an inauguration for the masses that packs Boston Common and that lines up hundreds to greet the new governor in a receiving line at the State House.

Patrick built a large grass-roots following, and inaugural organizers said the ceremony will draw supporters from around the state who worked to elect the first-time candidate who said he was leading "a movement for change." Yesterday, as workers installed press risers and a small bridge to run media cables across Beacon Street and as Patrick prepared to make the opening statement of his tenure, people across the city were looking forward to today in different ways.

In Dudley Square, many said they would make it a point to see the inauguration of the state's first black governor on the Common. "He made history," said Penny Godwin, 40, of Mattapan.

Downtown office jockeys said they may wander over to the proceedings over their lunch hours. "I'll probably walk by it," said Nate Beckles, who works in the downtown financial district.

Others, preoccupied with families and work schedules, said that they would be happy when Patrick is sworn in, but that other priorities would come first.

"Pomp and circumstance doesn't pay for diapers," said Philip Michelson, a movie producer from Brookline who was walking a friend's poodle near Coolidge Corner in Brookline.

"God bless Deval Patrick, but I'm not getting paid to show up there tomorrow."

Linda Starks, a kindergarten teacher in her 40s who lives in Dorchester, said that she would love to attend, but that her school needs her to be there.

She said her students had written a letter to Patrick asking him to come visit their class, and she hopes that he will someday.

"Just tell Patrick I'm cheering for him," she said. "My kids are wishing him all the best."

So is Jessica Duffy, 38, a supervisor at Whole Foods who was trying to direct her 3-year-old, Sean; her 9-month-old, Zaida; and her dog, Tucker, down the street in Coolidge Corner yesterday.

"I would love to go, because I think he's so cool," said Duffy, a Democrat. "But little kids, dogs . . . Maybe next time."

Bill Rocco, 22, of Harwich, who was in Boston yesterday to take a financial licensing exam, said he was excited that Patrick was ushering out "the old back rooms of government where the aristocrats live -- it's now a new era."

But "I'm not going to make a special trip to go up here just for that," he said, adding that he had not heard much about the inauguration.

Park Street was closed to traffic along the Common yesterday, and delivery trucks clogged Beacon Street in front of the State House. As sunlight sparkled on the golden dome, joggers and shoppers and office workers traversed paths in the park below.

Clare O'Connell, a Newton resident who works near the State House, was perplexed by all the fuss.

"I wondered what the trucks were for," said O'Connell, who voted for a Green Rainbow candidate, Grace Ross, adding that she would be too busy to attend.

But others said they had found themselves suddenly swept up in the festivities. Kesha Lawrence, 18, who was sightseeing downtown yesterday, said she had moved from St. Croix to Massachusetts only last month, but she said her uncle, a Boston police officer, will be taking her to the inaugural.

"He told me about the whole governor thing," said Lawrence.

Lawrence added that she had seen a number of media reports about today's ceremony.

She wants to attend, Lawrence said, "just to see what it's all about."

Carlos Ortiz, a South End resident who was having lunch in Downtown Crossing with his wife yesterday, said he has been waiting for today for months.

He said he had volunteered to help with phone banks for Patrick's campaign.

Patrick, he said, struck him as someone who seemed to be interested in "reaching out and helping people."

Ortiz said he would not miss today's swearing-in festivities in the Common.

"I'll make sure I'll be down here," Ortiz said of the inaugural event.

So will Mark Snyder, an early supporter and campaign volunteer because of Patrick's advocacy of gay rights.

Snyder said he had never been so involved in politics before.

"I love how Deval brings his message to the community," said Snyder, founder of the blog QueerToday.com, who works across from the Common.

But for those who did not vote for Patrick, like Frank Hanifin, 74, a Democrat from Walpole who voted for Republican Kerry Healey in November, today will be just another day.

"I think if he was serious, he'd get to work," he said. "He can celebrate when he accomplishes something."

Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.