Thanks for your responses, concerns and suggestions.
Right now I feel that my pride is strong enough to carry me thru. But yes, if things get dodgy we can leave the first party. However, my wife is getting an award at her party. OH yea - and my son will be bartending that one too - that makes it even easier.
My 'work wife' can be annoying at times and I didn't want him to have too much time to process this change. (We have a 28 year history together).
Now my other workmate is a different story, so yea, I could easily talk to him sooner. He would never push me or anyone into doing something they don't want to do.
Also, there are other 'respectable' people at both events I'd like to rub elbows with. It's good for the image and being sober will make it that much better.