FERRIDAY — A wave of heat helped usher in a wave of change in Ferriday Saturday afternoon as Gene Allen was sworn in as the town’s 15th mayor.

Local and state officials and friends and family gathered on the outdoor patio of Haney’s Big House Music Hall for Allen’s inauguration.

Andy Anders, state representative for District 21, said he considered Allen a true friend.

“A true friend is somebody you can count on, and when you ask their opinion, they tell you up front how it is,” Anders said. “Mayor Allen has been that for me my whole life, and that is why I consider him a true friend and a gift from God.”

Allen joked that he purposely scheduled his inauguration at 4 in the afternoon to see how many people would show up.

“I wrote a three-page speech, but it’s so hot, I just threw it away,” Allen said laughing.

Instead of giving a lengthy speech about all the things he wants to accomplish in Ferriday in the next four years, Allen did something he said he always wanted to do: honor his family.

Allen asked his wife, Bonnie Andrews Allen, to stand.

“She is the love of my life,” Allen said.

Allen told the story of how he met Bonnie in Dallas.

“I met her because I sold her car to her,” Allen said smiling.

Allen went on to recognize his five children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“This is what I wake up in the morning for,” Allen said, picking up his 2-year-old grandson, Gaven, as he ran to the podium to give his grandfather a hug.

Allen also recognized his 11 sisters, two brothers and a number of other family members and friends.

Allen asked the guests of his inauguration what he said was a very important question.

“Can we live again?” he said. “Yes, we can.”

Allen said he is committed to solving the water problem that has plagued Ferriday for so long, as well as ensuring the town’s schools, law enforcement and streets were taken care of in his administration.

Bringing Ferriday back to greatness, Allen said, will take a unified effort from the community.

“It will take all of us together, all of us communicating, to get Ferriday back on top,” Allen said.

The Ferriday Board of Aldermen will have a special meeting at 9 a.m. Monday to approve Allen’s appointments for town offices and departments.