MACON, Ga. — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is just around the corner, and several Central Georgia places are gearing up to hold events to celebrate the holiday.
13WMAZ has put together a list of events happening around the Central Georgia area:
1. Annual MLK Day Party hosted by AJ the DJ
Where: Ice Bar & Grill
When: Monday January 16, at 2 p.m.
Ice Bar & Grill is hosting its Annual MLK Day of Celebration party, where they are "highlighting the spirit of freedom in the Middle Georgia Business Community." They will have a variety of services and products on display that will be available to you. It is free to attend, and there will also be free refreshments. Food and drink specials will be on the menu, and a DJ will be there to perform for the event. If you are interested in being a vendor for the event space is limited, but you can call 678-786-6503 to see if you can reserve a space.
2. MLK Memorial March in Macon
Where: four different locations to begin listed below
When: Monday January 16, begins at 11 a.m.
The march is planning to start from 4 points: Booker T. Washington, the Rosa Jackson Center, the Memorial Gym, and the Frank Johnson rec. center. They'll all meet at Rosa Park Square. Then at 12:30 p.m. there's a keynote speaker celebration at Steward Chapel AME Church. Then at 3 p.m. there will be a jubilee celebration at the Tubman Museum.
3. MLK Jr. Day of Service at Centenary Church
Where: Centenary Church, 1290 Collage Street, Macon
When: Monday January 16, at 8:45 a.m.
The church will be hosting several service projects onsite in honor of the holiday. The event will start with a brief ceremony in the sanctuary, and ending with lunch in the fellowship hall. If you want to attend the event, let them know you are coming by emailing volunteers@centenarymacon.org and they will put you in contact with a team captain.
4. Martin Luther King, Jr Ecumenical Worship Service
Where: Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 2789 Millerfield Road, Macon
When: Sunday January 15, at 10 a.m.
The church says that all area youth are welcome to join them for worship as they celebrate the life of MLK. They will have special guest Reverend Elijah Gibson Davis speaking, who is the the Martin Luther King Jr. Chapel Assistant at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
5. MLK Brunch at Digital Smoke
Where: Digital Smoke, 2762 Watson Blvd, Warner Robins
When: Sunday January 15, at 12 p.m.
Folks can come out to brunch catered by Sportie Jay's Soul Food, and plates are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. They will have karaoke, hookah, and have outdoor seating on the patio. If you want to plan in advance, you can text 314-319-6785 for reservations and menu selection.
6. Tubman Museum unveils new exhibit
Where: The Tubman Museum, 310 Cherry Street, Macon
When: Monday January 16, all-day
The museum has unveiled their list of programs for the holiday, starting with an outdoor community breakfast at 8 a.m. They will also have a teen summit, a celebration of the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, and will showcase the "Emancipation" exhibit. Admission is $5 for an all-day pass.
7. Martin Luther King Breakfast – Living the Dream
Where:1104 Third Street, Macon, GA
When: January 16, 9:00 a.m.
To eat breakfast it will be $12 per adult, and $6 per child. More information can be found here.
8. 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Dublin
Where: Telfair Street through Downtown Dublin to the Bellevue historic district.
When: Saturday January 14 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Historically, this Martin Luther King Jr. Parade has been the second largest in Georgia with over 175 floats on average. There will also be a 'Food Truck Fancy' event happening while the parade is running over on Market On Madison from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Folks can choose a food truck and munch away while the parade rolls on.The theme for this year’s parade is: It Starts with Me: Cultivating A Beloved Community Mindset To Transform Unjust Systems.
9. Houston County NAACP day of service and remembrance
Where: Oldfield Baptist Church in Perry
When: Monday January 16, 9 a.m.
They'll have a march starting at 9 a.m. at the Oldfield Baptist Church in Perry, and it will end at New Hope Baptist Church There will be a program immediately after the march.
10. 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast
Where: First Baptist Church New Beginning Center, 210 Garmon Street in Warner Robins
When: Saturday January 14, at 9 a.m.
This event will feature guest speaker mayor LaRhonda Patrick. It is casual dress, and admission is free. Covid-19 and Flu vaccines will be available during the program, and a $50 gift card will be given to the first 200 attendees who get the Covid-19 booster. if you want more information you can call 478-714-0527.
11. Conversations with our Youth
Where: First Baptist Church New Beginning Center, 210 Garmon Street in Warner Robins
When: Saturday January 14, at 11 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
This event follows the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast, and features guest speaker Robert Benham, who is a retired Georgia Supreme Court Justice.
12. Macon-Bibb NAACP Breakfast
Where: Evergreen Church, at 5221 Nisbet Drive in Macon
When: Saturday January 14, at 9 a.m.
This event is free to the public, and will have food and fellowship to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
13. Monroe County MLK Peace Walk and Celebration
Where: the Monroe County Courthouse on North Jackson Street
When: Monday January 16, 12 p.m. noon
The march will begin at the Monroe County Courthouse, and travel to Kynette United Methodist Church on MLK Drive. After the parade the church will hold a service, and the speaker for the program will be Rev. Dee Sidney, Senior Pastor at Greater Bethel Community Church in Jackson, Georgia.
So, if you want ways to celebrate this weekend and on Monday, you can stop by these events!
This list will be updated with any additional events as more information becomes available.