Martin Luther King Day celebration committee announces activities

The Martin Luther King Day celebration committee unveiled activities surrounding the big day on Monday.

Events begin this Thursday with a gospel concert at St. Stephen AME Church at 7 p.m.

On Friday evening, there will be a community reception at Thalian Hall at 7 p.m.

Saturday, NAACP will hold their annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast at 9:00 at Union Missionary Baptist Church.

That afternoon, from 1:00 to 4:00, the MLK Center will host a children’s event with games and activities.

The Martin Luther King Jr. parade begins Monday, January 19 at 12:00 at 5th and Castle.

Organizer Hollis Briggs said it has grown a lot over the years. “So the parade lasted, when I first did it, it lasted 18 minutes. Now it lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes.”

The events will conclude with a speech by former astronaut Mae Jemison at UNCW on Thursday the 22nd.