The upcoming celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy is set to bring a mix of reflective, educational, and communal events to the Concord-Cabarrus area, running from January 15 through January 19. With the theme "Keep On Moving!" chosen for this year's activities, the intention is to honor and continue Dr. King's message of progress and action within the community, according to a report from the City of Kannapolis.
Among the notable events, a Wreath Laying Ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Concord on Thursday, January 15, and the Keeper of the Dream Awards Banquet will take place the following night, Friday, January 16, at the Laureate Center in Kannapolis, an event that necessitates a ticket purchase, details of which can be found on the church center's website. The festivities are set to culminate in the Dream Day Parade on Monday, January 19 at 11 a.m., featuring local cheer and dance teams, marching bands, and various organizations, set to begin their march at Main Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, continuing to the City Hall where the parade draws to an end and street closures are expected to start at 10:50 a.m.
The parade will be followed by a slate of free activities at the Laureate Center, located at Kannapolis City Hall, promising attendees a Minority Business Fair, Health & Wellness Fair, Local Non-profit Organization Fair, an HBCU Information Fair, along with an Art Contest which is open for submissions from local students until January 13, the submission form is available online. All these efforts are a part of the wider Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Planning Committee's initiative to inspire and connect the community in the spirit of King's vision and are primed to provide both a space for celebration and for concrete educational benefits.
For more information, the public can visit the City of Kannapolis website for event schedules. The City and the Concord-Cabarrus Celebrating Committee are leading this tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Locals and visitors are invited to join in honoring his lasting impact and the ongoing legacy of his dream.
