Attendees at this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration are encouraged to keep alive the civil rights leader’s dream of unity.
Derrick Reed, director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Community Center said:
Monday’s national holiday is packed with activities, including a free pancake breakfast, a parade, two prayer services, and an after-parade party. All events are held at his MLK center and are free.
This year’s theme is “Together WE can be THE Dream”.
“It is 2023 and for years and decades, we have been divided by race, political affiliation and religious background,” Reed said. “We have to come together to wake up from a deep sleep at some point and reach our dreams.”
The noon parade runs from 12th to 3rd Avenues on Martin Luther King Street. Various church and school groups, the Muscogee High School Laugher Regiment Band, and Haskell’s God’s Army Drum Corps participate. The city of Muskogee also has a float.
Dr. Jewell Daniels, a Muscogee urologist, becomes the Generalissimo. According to Reed, Daniels worked with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to help families in need, especially during his COVID-19 pandemic.
“And they’re still there,” Reed said. “This past Easter, they served hundreds of families with Easter ham and dinner. They did the same thing at Thanksgiving for their Thanksgiving baskets. Sponsoring Santa’s breakfast.
Daniels also helped fund MLK Center events and was the primary financial backer for the construction of the new MLK Center in 2016, Reid said.
People can still be part of the parade, Reed said.The lineup for the parade is at 11am. Participants can show up at that time and a representative will help them sign up.
“The forecast for this year is going to be fantastic,” Reed said. I hope to meet close to 1,000 people of any color.”
Food trucks, information booths, entertainment and a children’s playground will be set up at the MLK Center during the parade.
The Cherokee Nation will sponsor a parade afterparty featuring the musical group Instrumental.
“As a token of our appreciation, we present the shield to Chief Hoskins or his representative,” Reed said. “They have gone so far in ensuring that they are an inclusive tribal group. We want to acknowledge them to the Native Americans, and they also know that whenever they can offer a helping hand, the Cherokee Nation will always be there.”
The Muskogee Area Ministerial Alliance will host a community service at 10am.
The Muskogee Christian Ministers Union will host a citywide unity service at 7pm.
if you go
What: Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Theme: “Together we can dream.”
When: Monday.
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 300 W. Martin Luther King St.
Schedule:
• 7:00 am — Pancake breakfast.
• 10:00 AM — MLK Worship Service.
• 11am — Parade line-up.
• 12:00 PM — Parade begins.
• 1:00 PM — After-party with musical entertainment.
• 7:00 PM — MLK Annual Citywide Unity Service.