Locals participate in the Freedom March during last year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day festivities

Staff photo

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up on Monday, Jan. 18, and several events to commemorate the holiday are planned in Fayetteville.

Festivities begin that day with a youth prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House (491 N. Razorback Rd.) on the University of Arkansas campus.

After that, the annual Freedom March will make its way from the corner of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Razorback Road toward the Arkansas Student Union on campus beginning at 11:15 a.m.

The parade will culminate in a noon vigil in the Verizon Ballroom.

That evening, a speaking event featuring retired practical nurse and Navy Veteran Betty Davis on Arvest Plaza (75 N. East St.), and a banquet at Fayetteville Town Center featuring a keynote speech by Sam’s Club CEO Rosalind Brewer (15 West Mountain) are also planned.

The full schedule, and more information about this year’s festivities are available at nwamlk.org.