The legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated Jan. 17 with a day of events in Salisbury.
The 25th annual celebrations are organized by The Salisbury Rowan Human Relations Council and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday event community organizers. This year’s theme is “Unity Works.”
The holiday events start Monday at 7:15 a.m. with the annual MLK Jr. Breakfast held at the J.F. Hurley YMCA Salisbury branch, 828 Jake Alexander Blvd W.
Tickets are $8 and need to be purchased in advance.
Immediately after the breakfast, those who attended will travel in a procession led by the Salisbury Police to the Freedman Cemetery at Liberty and N. Church for a memorial service led by Dr. Grant Harrison and Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church from 9:30-10 a.m.
Parade participants will line up in the same area and proceed at 11 a.m. to South Main Street to East Bank Street and end at the Civic Center at 315 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Avenue. All community organizations, churches, school bands, drum corps, steppers and the general public are invited to enter the parade by registering. There is no fee required.
This year’s festivities at the Civic Center are from noon to 4:30 p.m. and will include free family fun, food vendors, door prizes and commemorative t-shirt.
There will be a special performance and youth music presentation by a former member of the legendary Muddy Waters Blues Band, Mac Arnold, and the Plate Full O’ Blues Band. Local youth will be given hands-on demonstrations while learning about the history of various types of music.
“Each year the activities, attractions and sponsorship increase to make Dr. King’s birthday a celebration that is a positive impact (on) the community, which is proof (that) ‘Unity Works,’” said Deborah Scales of Food Lion.
For more information about the parade call coordinators Terri Stevenson, 704-216-6272, or Deborah Ross-Turnbull, 704-245-0499.
Breakfast tickets can be purchased at these locations:
• Salisbury City Human Resources Office
• Rowan County Human Resources Office
• The Convention & Visitors Center
For more information contact: Rowan Salisbury Human Relations Council at 704-638-5217 or 704-638-2168.