It is time again for the City of Covington to join together to celebrate the man, the dream, the American legend, and the greatest leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Our Celebration Theme, “I Am A Man,” focuses on the struggles and trials of Dr. King’s last campaign, the Memphis Sanitation Strike. Furthermore, it highlights Dr. King’s commitment to the use of non-violent means to ensure that African-Americans were treated like other citizens with dignity and humanity.
The tribute to Dr. King includes a parade, Celebration Service, and a fun afternoon at the Reverend Peter Atkins Park all on Monday, January 18, 2016. Also, the City is pleased to announce that the Annual MLK Service Project will be a Blood Drive held on Monday, January 18, 2016, immediately following the Celebration Service at Peter S. Atkins Park, Covington, Louisiana. The citizens of Covington are called upon to take part in this most important activity and to give blood. This is a truly worthy cause as all blood donations are used to save lives, and the life you save may be yours.
The MLK Birthday Celebration will begin on Monday, January 18, 2016 with the customary parade beginning at Reverend Peter S. Atkins Park commencing at 10:00 a.m., marching throughout the West 30’s neighborhood, ending at Fuhrmann Auditorium, Greater Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson Street. This year’s Commemorative Service will begin at 11:00 a.m., featuring the Greater Covington Community Gospel Youth Choir. Anyone interested in singing in the Community Youth Choir join us for our final rehearsals on Saturday, January 16, 2016, 2:00 p.m., Bethel Reform Methodist Church and Sunday, January 17, 2016, 3:00 p.m., Fuhrmann Auditorium, Covington Center. The dynamic Reverend Leroy Divinity, Jr., pastor of Midway Church of Christ Holiness USA, will be the keynote speaker. Immediately following the service, the celebration will continue at Reverend Peter Atkins Park, with an afternoon of food, games and fellowship. All are invited to join in the festivities, events are free and open to the public.
Once again, the Greater Covington Chapter of the NAACP is graciously sponsoring an art (poster) and essay contest. Submissions should reflect the topics and rules outlined in the written guidelines. Applications and guidelines are available at Covington City Hall, 317 N. Jefferson, Covington, LA, Covington Planning and Zoning Department. Entries must be delivered to the Covington Planning and Zoning Department at the Greater Covington Center no later than noon, Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Announcement of all awards and winners takes place at the Commemorative Service.
For Additional Information: Contact the City of Covington’s Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration Chairlady, Beatrice Dunn Penn, (985) 249-1094, Vice-Chairlady, Gaynel Martin Perry, (985) 893-3767, City Councilman District A, John Callahan, (985) 264-6767 or Councilman District B, Jerry Coner, (985) 893-9689. All Events Are Free And Open To The Public.
“Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land…“ I’ve been to the Mountaintop Speech, April 3, 1968
