Martin Luther King Jr. Events Fill the Weekend

Four days of observances will be part of the annual observances surrounding the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in Lake Wales, according to organizers of the events. Monday, January 15 is a national holiday, and will see the closing of banks and most government offices.

Many events will take place at the James P. Austin Center, 315 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Lake Wales.

Also on Monday the MLK parade will wind through the streets of Lake Wales beginning at 3:00 pm to honor the civil and religious leader, who was assassinated in 1968, part of a wave of violence that included the murder of presidential candidate Robert Kennedy and shook American society to its core.

The schedule of events in Lake Wales include:

Friday, January 12, 2024

• MLK Oratorical Contest, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. at the James P. Austin Community Center, to include oral presentations by students.

Saturday, January 13, 2024

• MLK Unity Walk from Kiwanis Park to Stuart Park, meeting at Kiwanis Park at 8:30 am, the walk will start at 9:00 am. .

• Wellness Expo & Agri Festival, at the Austin Center will go on through the day.

• 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Service vendors and Food vendors will be active at the Austin Center

• MLK Kids' Game Night at the Austin Center from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm will offer a variety of games, music, and pizza for kids

Sunday, January 14, 2024

• MLK Gospel Sing will be held at the First Institutional Baptist Church at 4:00 pm.

Monday, January 15, 2024

• The Legacy Breakfast at 8:30 am at the James P. Austin Community Center

• MLK Commemorative Program at 11:00 am at the James P. Austin Community Center

• MLK Parade at 3:30 pm will begin at the James P. Austin Community Center and proceed north on MLK Blvd. and then East on Lincoln Avenue

• Activities/Vendors/Music on Historic Lincoln Avenue until 8:00 pm.