Community input sought for MLK celebration in January
Columbia Basin Herald /file photo Children from the Martin Luther King Jr. Children’s Choir, along with kindergartners from Knolls Vista Elementary School, sing at a past celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
MOSES LAKE — Although the event itself is still a couple of months out, organizers are beginning the planning process for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in January and are seeking public input on how to make this year’s event the biggest and best yet.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Committee has sponsored an annual celebration of King’s life and legacy for over 30 years now. Highlights from previous programs include honoring officials from the city of Moses Lake, dance and musical numbers, videos on King’s life and the Rev. Plasido Lindsey reciting King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which was given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
The MLK Committee is already starting to plan the 2018 program, which will be held Jan. 15 in the Moses Lake Civic Center Auditorium. Committee members are currently looking for public help in planning the event.
“What we are really hoping is that each member of the community wants to help with the planning of our event. We are just looking to get the word out and invite people to participate and be involved,” MLK Committee vice-president Miranda Bridges said.
A number of items have already been planned for the program, including the main speaker, Big Bend Community College President Terry Leas, a youth choir musical selection and a short video clip followed by a question and answer activity based on the video. Although the MLK Committee currently has several ideas for the program, they are still seeking more input from the community.
“We kind of wanted to let everyone know that it is a community event and it does take a community to put on this event,” Bridges explained. “That was one our things, to let people know this is what we are doing, we are celebrating Dr. King’s birthday and if anybody wants to join in or has an idea and wants to share a song or a poem or a reading or anything that they know can help us advance the event.”
If you want to participate in the program, or have an idea for the event, contact Miranda Bridges at 509-761-1378.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.