Activities Planned Jan 16-20 to Celebrate Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A variety of activities are planned Jan. 16-20 in Lake Wales to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee is inviting participation in the following:

6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at James P Austin Community Center, 315 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. A pot luck dinner is being sponsored by Unity in the Community entitled "Dessert First". Please come out and get to know your community neighbors. For more information you may contact Linda Kimbrough at 863-679-3896.

6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 at James P Austin Community Center there will be a free youth program, featuring essays and other talents. Any youth who wishes to participate may contact Selina Strong at 863-528-0256 for more information.

9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 The Unity Walk will start from Kiwanis Park and end at Stuart Park on Dr. J A Wiltshire Ave. The entire city and community is encouraged to participate in this annual event. Signup is not required. Any organization or church with the most participants will have their organization or church name engraved on a plaque and get to keep it in their possession until the following year. For information, contact Linda Kimbrough at 863-679-3896.

4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 A gospel fest will be at The First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, 205 D Street. The program will feature a host of choirs, praise dancers and groups. The event is free, but donations are encouraged. If you or your group wishes to participate, you may contact Durinda Diane Wells at 863-241-6158.

9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20 The Legacy Breakfast will be held at James P Austin Community Center. A free country breakfast will be served courtesy of the Dr. J A. Wiltshire Foundation and the Lake Wales community is invited. For more information, contact Dorothy Wilson at 863-521-9070.

11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20 The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Program will begin immediately following The Legacy Breakfast. The program is free, but donations for scholarships are encouraged. For more information, contact Melody Blocker at 863-521-6849.

3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 The Martin Luther King Jr. Parade will line up at 3 p.m. at the James P Austin Community Center, and begin its procession at 3:30 and travel to Lincoln Avenue, to First Street, to Park Avenue, to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., to Sessoms Avenue and end at the community center. All churches, organizations, individuals and groups in Lake Wales and the surrounding areas are encouraged to take part in this year's parade. The application fee for the parade is $20.

Event vendor and parade applications can be picked up from 8 a.m. to noon at the B Street Center, 230 B St. (863-679-8091) or Kimbrough & Associates, 24 W. Orange Ave. (863-679-3896), or contact Marilyn McKnight at 863-595-5195, Narvell Peterson at 863-528-2534, Evelyn Lewis at 863-528-0256, or Katie Kinloch at 863-632-5994.