Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, January 15, this year, and for many of us that means getting the day off from work!
But rather than sitting on your couch and bingeing on Netflix (although, of course, there’s nothing wrong with that!), why not be active in the community and participate in the range of events happening to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.? Here are five to consider.
Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
What's more fitting on MLK Day than heading to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial? The memorial consists of a larger-than-life statue of the man himself, as well as a wall full of carved inspirational social justice quotes. It’s located right on the Tidal Basin so you’ll have beautiful views of the water and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial as well. [caption id="attachment_6513" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Courtesy of nps.gov[/caption]
Participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk.
On January 15, Washington, D.C., residents will participate in the 12th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk. Anyone and everyone is welcome to the event, and you may either walk with the group or observe. The walk will start at 10 a.m. from the Anacostia Park entrance on Good Hope Road and MLK Jr. Avenue SE, ending at the Barry Farm Recreation and Aquatic Center. This event was created to inspire racial change and bridge divides, as well as honor those who worked to make MLK Day a national holiday. [caption id="attachment_6514" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Courtesy of dcireporter.com[/caption]
Keep going with the MLK Parade.
Continue being active in the community and participate in the MLK Parade, which will follow the peace walk. This will be the 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Washington, D.C. It will start at noon on January 15 and will follow the same route as the peace walk. It will end at the MLK Holiday D.C. Health and Community Fair, where inside the Barry Farm Recreation Center, “community groups, health care providers, and government organizations will offer parade goers information and entertainment.” You can learn more about the peace walk, parade, and fair by visiting the events page of the MLK Holiday D.C. website. [caption id="attachment_6515" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Courtesy of youtube.com[/caption]
MLK Day of Service
The MLK weekend is usually associated with a weekend of service and volunteering, and if you’ve been looking to find a way to help out in your community, MLK Day would be the perfect day to start. And the best part is that you don’t have to travel to the other side of town to help out. Use this website to locate volunteer opportunities in your zip code. You can also customize your search by what you’re interested in -- whether it be working with animals, assisting in homeless shelters, or picking up trash. [caption id="attachment_6516" align="aligncenter" width="900"]
Courtesy of whitehouse.gov[/caption]
“Let Freedom Ring” at the Kennedy Center
The “Let Freedom Ring” Celebration Choir is a performance not to miss. They were assembled in 2006 specifically for the purpose of celebrating and honoring Dr. King and are made up of mostly Georgetown University students. The annual performance will take place at The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Monday, January 15, at 6 p.m. Tickets are free, but they are required. If you want a ticket, make sure you get there early (they start distribution to people in line at 4:30 p.m.). You can learn more about the show and all the very specific ticketing and seating guidelines here. [caption id="attachment_6517" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Courtesy of therogersrevue.com[/caption]
What are your plans for the long weekend and Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Let us know in the comments below!
