While every Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has significance, the 2019 event marks what would have been the slain civil rights leader's 90th birthday.
King was born on Jan. 15, 1929 in Atlanta, and typically Atlanta is the focal point for MLK Day celebrations in Georgia, but there are many communities across the state that pay tribute to King on the national holiday.
Here are details on events planned for North Georgia:
ELBERTON
The city of Elberton in Northeast Georgia has scheduled four day of events to celebrate Dr. King. The 2019 theme for the Elberton MLK celebration is "Love Crosses Borders; Let's Cross Them Today." The commemoration begins Thursday, Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. with the screening of the movie "Our Friend, Martin" at the Elbert Theater. Elberton has one of the largest MLK parades in the area. It is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m.
Find complete details on all events here.
GAINESVILLE
The Newtown Florist Club once again will sponsor King Day activities in Gainesville, and the group has added some new events this year. The theme for MLK Day 2019 is "Stand Up! Speak Up! Be Active! Participate!" All activities will take place on Monday, Jan. 21. The schedule is as follows:
10 a.m.
Observance program at St. John Baptist Church on EE Butler Parkway
Rev. Robert S. King, the pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church on Summit Street, will be the speaker
12 p.m.
Assembly for parade at St. John Baptist Church
1 p.m.
Parade begins and continues to Fair Street School
2 p.m.
Fair Street School
Charge to the Youth
Tonya Harris Jackson is the speaker. The event features the Johnson High School Marching Band
3 p.m.
Fair Street School
Community Discussion on voter suppression
LAWRENCEVILLE
The Gwinnett County MLK Day parade begins with activities at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21 at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. The parade wraps up at Moore Middle School on Lawrenceville Highway. The day's activities end at 3 p.m. This year's theme is "Leadership: YOU are the Difference."
Complete details are available here.
