The Martin Luther King Memorial Society will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday activities on Jan. 19, in Rayville with events planned throughout the weekend.
This year’s theme is Honoring His Legacy.
A free banquet will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Rayville Civic Center. The guest speaker will be Pastor Eugene Thompson of St. John Baptist Church in Bastrop. Organizers ask that all children be accompanied by an adult.
The MLK Day parade will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19. The grand marshal will be Jalon Chatmon, owner of Peaceful Rest Funeral Home and a longtime community leader.
Food trucks, vendors and entrepreneurs will be set up inside and outside the Eula D. Britton Center during the event.
Churches, schools, fraternities, sororities, businesses and community organizations are encouraged to participate in the parade. Float judging will take place at 10 a.m., with awards for first, second and third place. Floats will be judged on originality, theme, neatness and overall appearance. Winners will be announced and trophies presented at the conclusion of the parade.
Parade entry fees are $30 for floats, $15 for cars, trucks, vans and SUVs, $10 per horse per person, $10 per three-wheeler and no fee for walking units.
Organizers invite the public to support the event and help share Dr. King’s legacy with children and the community. Donations are requested to help fund the activities.
The Martin Luther King Memorial Society officers include President Novelette Dorsey, Vice President Ted Thompson, Secretary Phyllis Dorsey, Treasurer Freddy Rivers, Chaplain Pastor Eddie Chatmon, Assistant Chaplain Freda Kennedy, Parade Coordinator Beverly Brown, Assistant Parade Coordinator Erica Williams and Sergeant at Arms Andre’ Fuller.
