MLK Day activities begin on Friday in Covington

Service, unity of the community and the fulfillment of dreams are the hallmarks of this year’s Martin Luther King Day festivities in Covington. The theme of the celebration is “Yes We Can! Turning Dreams Into Reality,” said District A Covington City Councilwoman Frances Dunn, organizer of the activities.

The activities will begin Friday at 6 p.m. with a free movie night with refreshments at Faith Bible Church, 1117 N. Columbia St.

On Saturday, a cleanup day of service to the community of District A will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude with the traditional fish fry at 1 p.m. at the Rev. Peter Atkins Park on 18th Avenue and Tyler Street.

“Sunday has been designated Habitat Sunday, and all citizens and churches are asked to make a contribution, no matter how modest, to the organization that is turning dreams into reality for so many people in the community,” said Dunn.

On Monday, the traditional parade will begin at the Rev. Atkins Park at 10:15 a.m. and continue through the city, ending at the Greater Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson St. At 11 a.m., a commemoration service will be held at Fuhrmann Auditorium with keynote speaker Dartanian Sanders, a minister. The celebration will continue at the Rev. Peter Atkins Park with an afternoon of food and fellowship.

On Tuesday, Inauguration Day will begin with a prayer breakfast to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. The focus of the breakfast will be prayers for him, his family, all newly elected officials and our nation. Dunn will be the keynote speaker for the breakfast.

The Greater Covington Chapter of the NAACP is sponsoring a photograph, picture, poster and essay contest. Awards will be given for eighth grades and under and ninth grades and above. Applications and guidelines are available at the Covington Trailhead Economic Development Office, 419 N. New Hampshire St., and entries must be received there by noon tomorrow. Children and adults are encouraged to enter.

For more information about any of the activities, including the Gospel Youth Choir or the contests, call Dunn at 893-6813.