Acadiana Celebrates MLK Jr. Day

There are several celebrations and festivities to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day in Acadiana. Our news partner, KATC, compiled the following list of events that will be held Sunday and Monday.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

St. Martinville MLK Celebration January 17 - Join the African American Museum and the City of St. Martinville in celebration of the birth and life of Martin Luther King, Jr. The event begins with a flag raising at 2 pm at St. Martinville Junior High. Ceremonies following in the gym. For more information, call Laura Turpeau at 337-344-6060 or the Tourism Office at 337-394-2233.

Parks MLK Celebration January 17 - Peace/Prayer March at 9 am from the St. Louis Chapel Church Hall, 1004 -A St. Louis Drive in Parks, to the Parks Middle School Gym, 1010 St. Louis Dr in Parks. In the case of rain, go straight to the middle school gym.

Lafayette MLK Celebration January 17 - Parade rolls at 3 p.m. The route begins at the Clifton Chenier Center on Willow Street, and proceeds down Martin Luther King Boulevard to the Center. Sheriff Michael Neustrom will be the Parade Marshal. Anyone who would like to participate in the parade should call Robert Benoit at 291-8703.

Our Savior's Church MLK Celebration January 17 - Service at 6:00 P.M. at Our Savior's Church. Guest Speakers Asst. Judge Heidi Williams, Houston, Texas and Pastor Tim Dilena, Our Savior's Church, Lafayette.
Monday, January 18, 2016

Rayne MLK Celebration January 18 - The annual city-wide celebration of Martin Luther King's life will be held on Monday, Jan. 18, at the Rayne Civic Center. March from Depot Square to the Civic Center. Begin at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program at 11 a.m. at the Civic Center.

Our Savior's Church MLK Celebration January 18 - Our Saviors Church celebration.
8:30 Breakfast/Registration
8:30College and Career Fair
9:00 Class/Activities K-8th grade
10:00 General Session -- Willie Belton Civil Rights Activist and John Belton, D.A., Ruston
11:00 Parade--will begin at Jeff Davis Bank on Main Street and end at Union Baptist Church on Main Street. All churches encouraged to participate in the parade.
11:40 Bell Ceremony. Contact Sheila Thibodeaux for more information at sheilaten@aol.com or (337)370-0234.

Lafayette MLK Celebration January 18 - Events begin with a flag raising at 8:30 a.m. at the MLK Center on Cora Drive. There will be a Community Luncheon Program, medical screenings, voter registration, display booths and exhibits, and an evening commemorative program which begins at 6 p.m. The featured speaker will be Cynthia Jackson-Hammond, president of Central State University in Wilberforce Ohio.

UL MLK Day Program January 18 - The UL Chapter of the NAACP partnered with BWLA presents the 2nd annual MLK Day Program. Student Union Ballroom, 7 p.m.

Abbeville MLK Parade and Celebration  January 18 - The Parade rolls at 11:30 a.m. Begins at Comeaux Park and travels down Martin Luther King Boulevard to Martin Luther King Park on Parker Drive. There will be a festival, with music and food, at the Park all day.