Taryn Ashby
With Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaching, Alachua County will present several events around the community to honor his legacy.
Some locations where the local events will take place include Daysprings Baptist Church, Downtown Gainesville, Bo Diddley Plaza, MLK Memorial Gardens, and Citizens Field.
The following is a list of MLK Day events, along with the time and locations:
Remembering Martin and Coretta Program
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m.
Daysprings Baptist Church, 1945 NE 8th Ave.
The event will feature special tributes from the Mu Upsilon Omega and Iota Lambda chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Nu Eta Lambda and Theta Sigma chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Town Hall Symposium – “Do You Know Assignment? Dr. King Did.”
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
Daysprings Baptist Church, 1945 NE 8th Ave.
The special guest panelist is former UF quarterback Anthony Richardson. Sponsored by the Josiah T. Walls Bar Association and MLK Commission of Florida, Inc.
Stephan P. Mickle Jazz Concert
Friday, Jan. 13, 6 p.m.
Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E University Ave,
The concert is in honor of the late Honorable Stephan P. Mickle, the first African American lawyer, County Court, Circuit Court, Court of Appeals and District Court Judge. Featuring the D.R. Band & Soul Fire. Sponsored by the MLK Commission and city of Gainesville.
The play “Ain’t Misbehavin.”
Saturday, Jan. 14., 8 p.m.
Star Center Theatre, 11 NE 23rd Ave.
Tickets are available through the MLK Commission at 352-376-2442.
Hall of Fame Enshrinement Program
Monday, Jan. 16, 11 a.m.
MLK Memorial Gardens, next to the City Hall annex in Downtown Gainesville.
The event will feature the 2023 Hall of Fame Award Recipient and community activist Chanae Jackson. It will also feature Makayla Flanders, a dual-enrolled senior at Eastside High School and Sante Fe College and this year’s 2023 Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award Recipient.
The Annual Commemorative Parade
Monday, Jan. 16, Noon.
From Bo Diddley Plaza to Citizen’s Field
The parade will begin at the Bo Diddley Plaza in Downtown Gainesville and end at Citizen’s Field on Waldo Road. Free Shuttle Bus Transportation will be provided by the City of Gainesville from Citizen’s Field (Waldo Road) to Downtown from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The National Holiday Celebration
Monday, Jan. 16, 1 p.m.
Citizens Field on Waldo Road
The event will feature the Showtime Band, the spoken word and more. Free shuttle bus transportation will be provided by the city of Gainesville from Citizen’s Field (Waldo Road) to Downtown Gainesville from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration in Alachua
Monday, Jan. 16th, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Cleather Hathcock Community Center, 15818 NW 140th St.
Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Enjoy the lineup of speakers and performers, along with free lunch.
Foster Grandparent Program Advisory Council MLK Drive
Monday, Jan. 16, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Community Support Services, 218 SE 24th St.
The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) Advisory Board and the AmeriCorps Senior volunteers are hosting a drive to provide much needed items for GRACE Marketplace. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for the Foster Grandparent Program will provide boxes for donations collection.
The boxes will be available from Jan. 9 until Jan. 19. Volunteers will collect the donations on Jan. 19 and bring the items to the Jan. 20 volunteer meeting at the FGP offices. Items needed include adult clothing, work boots, non-slip work shoes, underwear, aloe, bug spray, sunscreen and much more.