Parade, handing out dinner among events honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. What is planned

January 20 will be a special day for many Americans. The inauguration of President Donald Trump will take place in Washington as the nation also celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as one federal holiday in 1983 under President Ronald Regan to commemorate Dr. King’s achievements during the civil rights movement. It is also the first federal holiday honoring African Americans.

People in Erie can join in the celebration federal holiday with several events around the area. We have compiled a list of local celebrations. If you know of other events taking place, please email [email protected] or add your event to GoErie.com/calendar.

Dr. King Awards Dinner on Saturday

The 14th Annual Dr. King Awards Dinnerwhich is sold out for this year, is an event that celebrates and recognizes individuals who embody Dr. The spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to equality and justice.

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Those with tickets to the event will attend at MLK Center at 312 Chestnut St. on 18 January from 18.00 to 22.00. The doors open at 17.00

This year, the guest speaker for the awards dinner will be the Pennsylvania House Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan A. Harris.

MLK Day parade in downtown Erie on Monday

The annual MLK Day march will take place on January 20th beginning at noon in Perry Square in downtown Erie. The participants gather from 11 a.m

The march will start at Perry Square and then head west on West Sixth Street and then continue north on Chestnut Street toward the Martin Luther King Center at 312 Chestnut St.

After the march, there will be a wreath-laying and memorial program at the MLK Center.

Contact Martin Luther King Jr. Center at 814-459-2761 for any questions.

Penn State Behrend to participate in the downtown walk

Penn State Behrend students, faculty and staff will participate in Erie’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day march Monday in Perry Square.

A shuttle departs from the Reed Union Building at 4851 College Drive at 11.15 and returns at 3 p.m

‘King’s Dream’ at Penn State Behrend

On Friday, Penn State Behrend will host a multimedia presentation, “King’s Dream,” that captures the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. The presentation begins at noon at Bruno’s Cafe in the Reed Union Building at 4851 College Drive.

The program features archival footage, songs and live commentary exploring the story of Dr. King’s perseverance and inspiration. More details can be found at keyartsproductions.com/kings-dream/

Gannon shows Martin Luther King Jr. documentary

On Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gannon University will screen a Martin Luther King Jr. documentary, “Martin Luther King Jr. – The fight for civil rights,” on the second floor of the Waldron Campus Center at 628 Peach St.

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Contact Nicholas Sorensen at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on the Erie Times-News: MLK Day: Parade among Erie events honoring the civil rights leader