Events offer many ways to pay tribute to civil rights pioneer
Our next holiday is right around the corner — didn’t we just celebrate New Year’s? — and for those looking for what’s going on Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, starting Friday, we’ve put together some key happenings.
MLK Day events include:
The MLK Coalition is sponsoring its 47th annual commemorative march in downtown Cincinnati. The march will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and proceed to Washington Park for an interfaith prayer service. An online commemorative program will be livestreamed on the coalition’s website beginning at noon and will be available the remainder of January.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, downtown Cincinnati, is offering free admission from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. An interactive art experience and musical performances will be available throughout the day — including a Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra string quarter at 2 p.m. Educational materials to take home will also be available. Capacity limits will be observed, so museum-goers are encouraged to reserve tickets. The Freedom Center is also hosting its annual King Legacy Celebration virtually started at 9 a.m. Monday.
The March for Unity in Our Community will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the southwest corner of the Cabela’s parking lot (7250 Cabela Drive, West Chester) at the intersection of Tylers Place Boulevard and Cabela Drive. From Cabela’s, the march will progress across Liberty Way at the Tylers Place Boulevard crosswalk toward Liberty Center (7100 Foundry Row, Liberty Township), and loop around the shopping area going west, then north and finally back east to the inside area of Liberty Center. Participants then will be treated to cocoa in the “Living Room” section of the mall (near the food court).
Hoxworth Blood Center will conduct a blood drive from 9 to 11:45 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Donors will receive a free “It Takes All Types” umbrella. Walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment: call (513) 451-0910 or visit the Hoxworth appointment scheduling site.
Cincinnati Parks is encouraging park-goers to volunteer as part of its MLK Day of Service at one of several parks Monday. Removal of debris, fencing and honeysuckle from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. are among the opportunities to serve. For more information about the parks participating and to register as a volunteer, go to the website.
The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Cheviot branch, 3711 Robb Ave., will host a family event, Remembering Martin Luther King Jr., from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday. Children will be able to reflect through song, spoken word and art. Register at the website.
The Unity Band—featuring Greg Chako (guitar), Matthew Holt (bass), Lee McKinney (drums)—will appear at 7 p.m. next Tuesday at Memorial Hall in Cincinnati. Jazz, The American Music of Freedom: A Tribute to MLK will feature all-original compositions and interpretations, expressing the spirit of freedom and diversity. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Additionally, on MLK Day:
· Federal, state, county and other local government offices, along with many businesses, will be closed.
· U.S. Postal Service offices are closed, and carriers will not be delivering mail.
· Most banks will be closed.
· Financial markets, including the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, will be closed.
· Parking meters will not be enforced in Cincinnati (free parking).
