Observance of Martin Luther King Day in St. Tammany Parish includes a parade in Covington and a walkathon in Slidell, and Covington will continue the celebration on Inauguration Day.

Martin Luther King Day festivities in Covington began Friday night and continue until Inauguration Day. 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. Dunn extended an invitation for all citizens to participate in any or all events to promote unity and service throughout the city.

“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 Martin Luther King Day, Monday, the traditional parade will begin at 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 Minister Dartanian Sanders. The celebration will continue at Rev. Peter Atkins Park with an afternoon of food and fellowship.

Inauguration Day will begin Tuesday 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. The breakfast will take place at Bethel Reform Methodist Church, 602 W. 29th Ave. beginning at 8 a.m. Dunn will be the keynote speaker during the breakfast.

For more information about any of the activities in Covington, call Dunn at 985-893-6813.

In Slidell, the Tau Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is hosting the Realizing and Embracing the Dream walkathon Monday morning to celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday.

The walk is open to the public and anyone interested in participating should meet up at Griffin Park in Slidell, next to the post office on Second Street, at 8:30 a.m.

The registration fee is $10 and will benefit several local organizations like the K-Bar-B Youth Ranch in Lacombe that houses abused and neglected young women. Refreshments and T-shirts will be given away but on a first come, first serve basis.

The walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the park and travel two miles eventually circling back to the park. Police will be onsite escorting the walkers.

“It’s a great event just to realize the works and efforts of King on the day we commemorate his birthday,” Dee Cager, president of the Tau Iota Omega Chapter, said.

Anyone wanting more information on the walk should contact Simeon Goines at (504) 913-4189.

Cager said any inactive members of the sorority interested in reactivating their membership can contact LaRobyn Houston at 516-3621.