Acadiana Festivities for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

There are many Acadiana festivities for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day being held throughout the local communities. Here is a look at what is going on.

Lafayette:

The King Center on Cora Drive will have activities all day long.  A community luncheon program starts at 11:30 AM.  There will be health screenings, voter registration, and display booths. A Commemorative program begins at 6:00 PM featuring Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III, the pastor of Charity Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, South Carolina.

The Northgate Mall, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, The Eta Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Sorority will be accepting donations for the needy.  You can donate items like toiletries, hygiene items, new or gently worn shoes, and jackets, used eyeglasses and sunglasses, pillowcases, and blankets.

The Clearport Learning Center and Vermilionville Folk Arts Teen Advisory Council will be painting the Lafayette Sign downtown to celebrate Black History Month.  Anyone is invited to help paint the mural starting at noon.

Opelousas:

At 1:00 pm at Holy Ghost Church in Opelousas, you’re invited to attend the 38th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Memorial Program. Parade will roll from the Farmer's Market and ends at the Courthouse. The memorial program starts at 2 p.m. at the church.

Memorial program at 1:00 pm at Opelousas General in the Main Campus Auditorium on the third floor.

Loreauville:

The MLK Jr. 36th annual march will start at 10 a.m. at Loreauville Park and end at Our Lady of Victory Church.

Kaplan:

“Rise Up Be the Change” begins at 10:30 a.m at New Beginnings Primitive Baptist Church on East Veteran's Memorial Drive. They will also have a march that begins at 1 p.m. at the police department.

New Iberia:

MLK event at 1:00 pm in the West End Park’s Martin Luther King Recreation Center. The speaker will be Rev. Mark Lewis, Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.  Refreshments will be served.