Want to Honor MLK? Here’s a List of Fresno Area Events

March. Serve. Sing.

There are plenty of opportunities to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Fresno area this weekend. The official holiday is Monday.

That is when the main event takes place, the annual community march, starting at 10 a.m. The march commences at St. John’s Cathedral in downtown Fresno (2814 Mariposa Ave.). Staging starts at 9:30 a.m.

The march will go past Fresno City Hall and conclude at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

A commemoration program takes place at the auditorium after the march. Marc Philpart from the California Black Freedom Fund is the keynote speaker.

Event Listings

Here is a listing of events, provided by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Committee, City of Fresno, CA:

Friday, Jan. 13 —Garlanding Ceremony
Welcome by Mayor Jerry Dyer. Featuring Special Guest Superintendent Michele Cantwell-Copher, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in honor of MLK.  This ceremony will also feature the Fresno Unified Black Student Union and King Elementary School dancers. 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Courthouse Park off of Van Ness/Tulare. Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, (559) 435-2212, or Gail Gaston (559) 681-3140.

Fresno leaders honor MLK last year in a garlanding ceremony at Courthouse Park. (GV Wire File)

Friday, Jan. 13 —Awards Program
Welcome by Fresno City Council President Tyler Maxwell. Honorees: Educational Leadership Award, Retired Fresno County Superintendent Jim Yovino; Community Leadership Award, Tiffany Binion Mangum; Public Service Award, Clovis Police Chief Curt Fleming; and Les Kimber Community Service Award, Central Valley Black Nurses Association. 5 p.m. Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno St. Contact: Summer Gaston at summer.gaston-gehris@fresnounified.org.

Saturday, Jan. 14 — Clovis Police Department Community Breakfast
9 a.m. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor. California Health Science University 2500 Alluvial Ave. Clovis, CA 93611 (Southwest corner of Temperance & Alluvial avenues (take CA-168 to Temperance Avenue, go north to Alluvial Avenue) Tickets: $5 each (pre-payment required). Contact: Erin Ford-Horio, (559) 324-2476, or erinf@cityofclovis.com

Saturday, Jan. 14 — West Fresno Ministerial Alliance Service
Service 6 p.m. Westside Seventh-Day Adventist Church 2750 S. MLK Jr. Blvd, Fresno CA, 93706. Contact Pastor Bruce McAlister at saintscommunity@sbcglobal.net or Pastor BT Lewis booker.lewis@fresno.gov

Related Story: For These Volunteers, MLK Day is All About Service

Sunday, Jan. 15 — Gospel Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
4 p.m. at Westside Church of God 1424 W. California Ave. Contact: Tiffany Mangum at CentralValleyGIN@gmail.com, Eric Payne at eric.paynecmc@gmail.com. Proceededing this event will be a Candlelight Peace Vigil at 6 pm.

Sunday, Jan. 15 — Candlelight Peace Vigil
6 p.m. at Westside Church of God 1424 W. California Ave. This event will be held after the Gospel Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, (559) 435-2212

Sunday, Jan. 15 — Countdown to King Concert & Rally
9:30 p.m.-midnight; This is a free event at The Tower Theater. Contact: edwardthomas858@icloud.com.

Monday, Jan. 16 — MLK Community March
9:15-10:45 a.m., St. Johns Cathedral, 2814 Mariposa Ave, Fresno, CA 93721. Marchers will assemble at 9:30am. March begins at 10 a.m., stops at City Hall then proceeds to Veterans Memorial Auditorium (2425 Fresno St.) where the program will conclude. Contact: James Lett III, (559) 284- 6420

Related Story: What Do You Know About Martin Luther King Jr.? Try This Quiz

Monday, Jan. 16 — Commemoration Program
11 am., Veterans Memorial Auditorium 245 Fresno St. Celebrating the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions to community diversity and our enriched culture. Commemoration Program Keynote Speaker is Marc Philpart of the California Black Freedom Fund. Contact: Terri Kimber Edwards, (559) 908-0639, or email: Eric Payne at Eric.paynecmc@gmail.com.

Wednesday, Jan. 18 — Art, Essay, Speech Contest
6 p.m.; Fresno County Superintendent of Schools will have an MLK Art, Essay, and Speech Contest at Clovis Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. Contact: Dr. Jeff Hunt, (559) 246-4432.

 Thursday, Jan. 19 — MLK Commemoration
Presented by Fresno State African American Programs. 12-1 p.m., Fresno State Peace Garden. Contact: Maria Williams, (559) 278-4435.