The Martin Luther King Day Celebration Committee is preparing to pay homage to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This year will mark the 29th celebration in Minden of the slain civil rights leader. The 2016 theme is “Uniting Our Community to Advance the Dream.”
Entries are currently being taken for the MLK Youth Leadership Award, essay contest and poster contest.
Prior to celebrations on Monday – the official day set aside to honor King – the committee has events planned to honor the leader.
Saturday
A basketball tournament will tip off at the Minden Recreation Complex gymnasium at 9 a.m.
There will be a girls, boys and young adult division for 4th and 5th grade, 6th and 7th grade, 8th grade and young adults (18+).
The entry fee is $15 per player.
The MLK Lyrical Freestyle Contest will take place at 2 p.m. at the Community Life Center.
The event will showcase the community’s talent with rap, poetry and spoken word.
Contest rules are to have a positive message, be theme based and a maximum of three minutes.
Sunday
A commemorative service will take place at 6p.m. at St. Rest Baptist Church. The keynote speaker will be the Honorable Shonda Stone, Caddo Parish Juvenile Judge.
MLK Youth Leadership Awards and Oratorical Contest winners will be presented during the service.
Monday
An Ecumenical Unity March will take place at 8 a.m. along MLK Drive.
Area ministers and community leaders will lead the Unity March as marchers sing and pray, honoring the ministerial efforts of King and recommiting to fostering unity in our community.
Following the march, the MLK Parade will roll through downtown Minden at 10 a.m.
Floats will be judged for best decorated float, best band performance, and most spirited group/organization.
Immediately following the parade, the Youth Rally will take place at the Minden Civic Center.
The winners of the parade, essay and poster contests will be announced.
MLK Celebration commemorative T-Shirts are currently available.
For more information, contact District B Councilwoman Fayrine A. Kennon-Gilbert, Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee Chairperson at 377-0934, 773-2289 or [email protected].