The Second Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration weekend will take place January 19-21, 2019. The planning committee has been working diligently to make this weekend very eventful and meaningful as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. This year’s theme is The Spirit of Community. The committee felt that the theme was very fitting as we work to strengthen the spirit of dedication, fellowship and cooperation in the Carroll County Community. We encourage the entire community to participate in this great endeavor.

The King Holiday was officially signed into law November 2, 1983 by President Ronald Reagan. Dr. King was assassinated 15 years earlier on April 4, 1968. King’s widow, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, with the support of many in congress, community, and civic leaders, worked tirelessly to establish a federal holiday to keep the dreams and legacy of Dr. King prominent in the lives of all citizens. It was 26 years ago that our community formalized a series of events in recognition of the King Holiday. The events in the past included primarily Ecumenical Services and the NAACP Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. These events have been community based and included inclusive participation from members of the community.

The celebration for this year is especially significant as it marks the 90th of Dr. King’s birth. We again want to expand the offerings this year such that there is an event that everyone can take participate in honor of Dr. King. The weekend events begin on Saturday January 19, 2019 at noon at the Carrollton Center for the Arts with the Community Conversation: Re-Thinking Equality, Justice and Faith in a PostModern Culture. This will be an interactive session that will allow participants to give thought to current issues that impact our abilities to find common ground related to a spirit of cooperation and well-being in a supportive congruent, community. The Symposium is a collaborative with the Equal Justice Initiative.

That same evening, the King Holiday Black Tie Celebration Gala will take place at the Carrollton Center for the Arts. The Gala will feature A TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN, with musical performances performed by local youth and others honoring her life and legacy. The proceeds from the event will support local youth mentoring programs, ACT-SO and the Kappa League.

Tickets are $30.00 and may be purchased at the Center box office. On Sunday January 20, 2019, First Baptist Church of Carrollton will have a Commemorative Service during its morning worship services beginning at 10:30 am. The church is located at 563 Old Bremen Road, Carrollton, Georgia under the direction and leadership of Dr. Woodrow Johnson. At 6pm, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecumenical Service will take place at the City Station, 2115 Maple Street. The service is being coordinated by Mrs. Lori Bell in conjunction with Whosoever Will Christ Centered Church and Bold Life for Christ/MLK Coalition.

Monday January 21 events begin at 11:00 am with the 23 nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade sponsored by the Carroll County Branch of the NAACP. The theme for this year’s parade is ‘Community, Culture and Arts’. The Grand Marshall is Mrs. Ginny Dyer. Immediately following the parade will be a community wide Day of Service series of events, a National initiative of the NAACP recognizing ‘A Day ON versus a Day OFF’, inviting us all to make this day more than a routine holiday. That same evening, Mt. Prospect Baptist Church, 133 Thomas Dorsey Drive, Villa Rica, will host their annual Ecumenical Dinner and Service beginning at 6:00 p.m.

For additional information, please contact Fred O’Neal at 770-328-6420, Barbara Green at 770- 380-4581 or James Stocks at 678-464-1604.