Upon compilation of this list, I realized how difficult it was to find one complete source for all that is MLK. Martin Luther King Jr's message of unity and non-violence seemed to be lost in the shuffle of the day-to-day activities of the people that organize the events. Given this, a huge thanks goes out to the individuals that took time away from their schedules to give our community a way to remember the legacy of Dr. King.
Friday, January 13
MLK Annual Awards Dinner, featuring John Hope Byrant
Location: Ambassador Hotel, 7794 Peach Street
Tickets: $35.00, includes dinner, live music and dancing
Mr. Bryant will be speaking about Creating Economic Empowerment: building a Dream.
Saturday, January 14
NAACP Prayer Breakfast, featuring Bishop Stanley Smith of St. John's Full Gospel Baptist Church of Meadville
Location: Bayfront NATO Martin Luther King Center, 312 Chestnut Street
Tickets: $10 (see a member of NAACP for tickets)
King Basketball Showcase at East High School
Time: 7 games beginning at 12:00 pm until approximately 9:00 pm
Location: East High School, 1001 Atkins Street
Cost: 1 day pass $10; 2 day pass $15; reserved and court-side packages available
Youth Rally Against Violence Forum and King Basketball Showcase Begins
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Bayfront NATO Martin Luther King Center, 312 Chestnut Street
Cost: FREE, refreshments serves at forum
Sunday, January 15
King Basketball Showcase continues at Gannon University
Time: 8 games beginning at 12:00 pm
Location: Gannon University
Featuring teams for both days from Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Boys and girls basketball teams compete with each other and the East High School teams.
Cost: 1 day pass $10; 2 day pass $15; reserved and court-side packages available
Monday, January 16
Annual March and Memorial Assembly at Perry Square
Time: assembling begins at Perry Square at 11:30 am; march begins at 12:00 and runs to MLK Center, 312 Chestnut Street; memorial to follow in MLK Auditorium
Cost: FREE, includes refreshments and unveiling of the MLK essay contest winner
King Holiday Expo
Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Gannon University
Tickets: $5; includes 21 acts such as dance, singing, rap, mime troops, gospel and youth rock bands, and 2010 Erie Idol champion Brittany Morton to highlight the show
These are only some of the ways to celebrate the King Holiday. Contact your local church, college, or school to inqure about other events. Given all of the available events in our area, there is no reason for anyone to not celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. To quote the leader himself, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter"
