By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — This year marks the 35th year of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration and humanitarian awards.
The Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council and community volunteers have organized a number of events to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“This is a day that we as a community can march together and sing together in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said co-organizer Sherry Hawthorne.
This year’s theme is “Let Freedom Ring.”
She said the free events can bring the community together.
The events are:
• Friday, Jan. 13
Hefner VA Medical Center, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. program, 1601 Brenner Ave., Salisbury, Building No. 6, Social Room, 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 15
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Awards program, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1920 Shirley Ave., 3 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 16
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, Salisbury YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., tickets are $8. Call 704-638-5217 or 704-638-2168.
Procession from YMCA to Freedman’s Cemetery, 9:30 a.m.
Freedman’s Cemetery Ceremony, corner of Liberty and N. Church streets., 10 a.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade, 11 a.m. Parade line up begins at 9 a.m.
There is no entry fee for the parade and forms are due Friday.
Participants can submit forms to the Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council, 132 N. Main St., 2nd floor, Salisbury, NC 28144 or fax 704-638-8479.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. festivities, Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., noon-4:30 p.m.
“I’m very honored to be a part of this event,” Hawthorne said.
For more information, contact Sherry Hawthorne at 704-499-1197 or Marvin Shaw at 704-202-3952, Jill Burch at 704-202-8590, Byron Brown at 704-433-9145 or the Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council at 704-638-5217 or 638-2168.