Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and communities across Acadiana are observing the holiday by holding a number of community events.
KATC's Jaime Angelle was LIVE at the King Center in Lafayette with a preview of those events.
Beginning at 8:30 am, Lafayette will continue their three-day celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A flag raising begins the program which will be followed by a community luncheon at 11:30 am. Health screenings, voter registration, displays, and booths will also be set up.
The day culminates with an evening program that begins at 6:00 pm at the MLK Center.
ST LANDRY PARISH
In Opelousas, Holy Ghost Catholic Church will host its annual King day Parade and Memorial Program. The parade starts at 1:00 at the farmers market and ends at the parish courthouse.
The memorial program starts at 2:00 at the creole heritage folk life center.
IBERIA PARISH
In New Iberia, West End park will host the city's King Day Ceremony at 1:00 pm. Reverend Mark Lewis, pastor at Mount Calvary Baptist Church will give a keynote speech on the topic, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
In Loreauville, the city will pay tribute to doctor king with a march and a program featuring musical performances and a gospel play. The march starts at 10:00 am at Loreauville Park and ending at Our Lady of Victory Church with the program taking place there.
VERMILION PARISH
In Kaplan, MLK events begin at 10:30 with a celebration meal at new beginnings Primitive Baptist Church. At 1:00 pm an MLK Day March will leave from the police department and end at New Beginnings Church.
The church will host a program immediately after the march.
ACROSS ACADIANA
Many are observing Martin Luther King Day as a day of service. The "Alpha Kappa Alpha" Sorority will hold a supply drive for families in need. They'll be collecting toiletries and hygiene items, blankets, new and gently-worn shoes, used eyeglasses and sunglasses and pillowcases. That supply drive takes place from 1 to 4 at the Northgate Mall in Lafayette.
The Second Harvest Food Bank is hosting an MLK Day of service at their Lafayette facility. Over thirty volunteers are working together to donate $10,000 meals to the organization to help needy families across Acadiana. That event will take place at the Second Harvest Food Bank on Pinhook Road from 8:00 am to 9:30 am.