The Martin Luther King Memorial Society will host its first-ever vendor pop-up shop Monday, Jan. 19, following the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in Rayville.
The vendor pop-up shop will be held at the Eula D. Britton Alumni Center immediately after the parade and is open to food trucks, small businesses and local entrepreneurs. Vendor space is available for a $50 fee.
According to organizers, the pop-up shop will feature food trucks, jewelry, wreaths, clothing and a variety of other merchandise, creating an opportunity for vendors to connect with the community during one of the parish’s largest annual events.
The vendor event is part of the Martin Luther King Memorial Society’s annual Dr. King Holiday activities which will take place throughout the weekend under the theme “Honoring His Legacy.”
A free community 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 attending the banquet be accompanied by an adult.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 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. Vendors and food trucks will be set up both inside and outside the Eula D. Britton Alumni 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, with 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 attend, support participating vendors 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.
