WASHINGTON — This year’s holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday falls on Monday, Jan. 18, but there are numerous free events planned throughout our area over the coming days to honor the civil rights leader.
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ONGOING
- Poetry readings, musical performances, discussions and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. address. The D.C. Public Library is hosting them all, over the next few weeks.
MONDAY, JAN. 18
- All National Parks that usually charge a fee will be fee-free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and many will hold special events.
- FBI Director James Comey will be the guest speaker at the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, which begins at 9 a.m.
- Rockville’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will include interactive and multicultural performances, an awards ceremony, and a keynote address by David Ragland on the theme of “The Challenge: Building Community in the Age of Ferguson and Baltimore.”
- Seat Pleasant Mayor Eugene Grant is chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Stop The Violence March & Forum, organized in an effort stop violence in Prince George’s County. The march begins at FedEx Field.
- The annual Martin Luther King March and Celebration in Leesburg includes a discussion, march, film screening and performances.
- The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presents its annual Youth Oratorical Contest, featuring the MLK Community Choir.
- The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore is celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with free admission, birthday cake, music, workshops and performances.
- The annual MLK Peace Walk & Parade takes place in D.C., with the walk beginning at 11 a.m. and the parade starting at noon.
- Annapolis’ annual Dream to Reality Parade begins at noon from Amos Garrett Boulevard. The Hillman Parking Garage will be open free of charge from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., when regular pricing will resume.
- The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Baltimore steps off at noon. The Grand Marshals are actress Sonja Sohn of “The Wire” and Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett.
- The “Let Freedom Ring” concert featuring Grammy nominee Yolanda Adams is presented by the Kennedy Center and Georgetown University. Tickets for the 6 p.m. event will be distributed two per person in line, starting at 4:30 p.m.
- The AFI Silver Theatre has a noon screening of the Academy-Award nominated documentary “King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis”. Tickets will be distributed at the box office starting at 11 a.m. There’s a maximum of 4 tickets per person.
TUESDAY, JAN. 21
- Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies hosts a free 8 p.m. screening of “Selma.” Popcorn will be served. You’re asked to RSVP.
