Minden gears up for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee has a weekend full of events planned for Saturday, January 19 through Monday, January 21.
“Each year we pause to commemorate the life and legacy of an international hero, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The official holiday is the third Monday in January of each year. This year will mark our thirty-second annual observance in Minden, Louisiana. We want this year’s observance to be a milestone celebration,” Committee Chairperson Fayrine Kennon-Gilbert said at the Minden City Council meeting Monday.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Unity – The Dream.”
Events will include a basketball clinic and tournament as the committee partners with the Heartwork organization at 9:00 am at the Minden Recreation Complex on Saturday, January 19.
On Sunday, there will be a Commemorative Service at the Minden Civic Center at 3:00 pm.
Monday there will be an Ecumenical Unity March at 8:00 am on Martin Luther King Drive. The Martin Luther King Jr. Parade will follow at 10:00 am. The parade includes a competition for best decorated float, best band performance, and most spirited group or organization.
The events will end with a Youth Rally at the Minden Civic Center immediately following the parade.
There are also essay, poster, and oratorical contests for young people and a Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Leadership Award.
“This is not a black event, it’s not a white event, it’s a city of Minden event and we do encourage each and every individual to be a part of it,” Kennon-Gilbert said.
For more information and entry forms for competitions or the parade, contact Fayrine Kennon-Gilbert at 773-2289 or fayrinekennon@suddenlink.net.