Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration kicks off Jan. 13

Morning festivities will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 13, with a parade in Lewes. Individuals and organizations are invited to participate.

At 4:30 p.m. that same day, the annual banquet will be held at the Sussex CHEER Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Tony Allen, the newly appointed provost at Delaware State University. A souvenir booklet will be prepared for this event.

The celebration will conclude at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 15, with a holiday community worship service at Long Neck United Methodist Church, 32071 Long Neck Road, Millsboro. The Rev. Cynthia Daniels of Friendship Baptist Church, Lewes, will bring the message accompanied by the Friendship Baptist Choir.

The 2018 theme is ‘Speak Up! Let Us Not Be Silent About Things That Matter.’ In these times of turmoil, division and uncertainty, voices must be uplifted in support of the values of peace, love, unity and equality espoused by King. As he once said: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. Yes, we are all, indeed, our brother's and sister's keeper!”