On the third Monday of every January, a national holiday honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his name. Cities across the country plan celebrations and memoriams leading up to the day.
Ninety-four years after his birth on January 15, 1929, and 59 years after his historic "I Have a Dream" speech, this year, Monday, January 16, will be MLK Day.
Here's what's closed and what events are happening around Acadiana this MLK day.
What's closed on MLK Day?
The United States Postal Service says they will be closed nationwide on Monday in observance of the holiday, which means they will not deliver mail to homes or businesses.
Banks will also be closed on MLK Day, but ATMs will still be available for use to get cash or put money into an account.
According to the Department of Motor Vehicle website, most DMV offices will be closed, similar to other government agencies such as courts and nonessential government buildings.
What's happening around Acadiana in honor of Dr. King?
Lafayette Parish
2023 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass & Award Celebration (Friday, January 13, 2023)
The Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass & Award Celebration will be held at 6:30 pm at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Located at 914 Saint John Street, Bishop Douglas Deshotel will be the celebrant and homilist. Sponsored by the Office of Black Catholic Ministries, this mass recognizes individuals who have exemplified the characteristics and heroic virtues of Rev. King and have contributed to their local faith community substantially, according to the Diocese of Lafayette. More information can be found on the Diocese of Lafayette Facebook page.
"The Art Album" (Friday, January 13, 2023)
In honor of Martin Luther King Day, Maison Freetown in Lafayette is exhibiting a new and exciting way to experience art. "The Art Album" is a cohesive body of work by artist Ky Beaux combining two mediums: art and music. This interactive visual and musical exhibit will deliver a new storytelling experience. Beaux says the project conveys the message that Black boys have always been fly and can shoot for the stars. Experience the exhibition on opening night from 7 to 10 pm at 800 East Vermilion Street.
MLK Day of Service (Saturday, January 14, 2023)
Lafayette Habitat for Humanity in partnership with Lafayette Consolidated Government and the local Coteries will host community-wide, hands-on projects starting at 9 am as part of the MLK National Day of Service initiatives. Volunteers will partner with neighborhood organizations in Lafayette’s Northside to coordinate and execute beautification projects that will improve the quality of life of local residents. They will be building garden beds, planting and mulching trees, cleaning corridors and the neighborhood. To register and volunteer, click here.
Annual MLK Celebration (Monday, January 16, 2023)
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Committee of Lafayette is hosting the Annual MLK Celebration. This year's theme is "Living the Dream" — "Our Actions, Together, Impact Change Within Our Community." All activities will be held at the MLK Recreation Center at 309 Cora Street. The day will begin at 8:30 am with prayer breakfast. From 9:45 am to 2 pm, experience community exhibits and visit booths. BBQ plate lunches will be provided by Laura's II from 11 am to 1:30 pm. The evening commemorative program will start at 6 pm.
Blue Cross, Healthy Blue and Entergy Sponsoring 200,000 Meals for Louisiana Families (Thursday, January 19, 2023)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Healthy Blue and Entergy will sponsor 200,000 meals at food banks statewide in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is a National Day of Service. Volunteers from these organizations will pack the meals at a series of events benefitting Louisiana food banks.
“We know food insecurity is a challenge for many families in our state, and the stresses of the past two years have left many Louisianians struggling to access healthy meals,” said Michael Tipton, head of Community Relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and president of the Blue Cross Foundation. “We are looking forward to bringing our employees together, along with our partners at Entergy and Healthy Blue, to fulfill our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians by giving our time to our communities and, in doing so, honoring Dr. King’s legacy of service.”
A meal-packing event will take place from 10 am to 1 pm at Second Harvest Food Bank in Lafayette at 215 E Pinhook Road. For more area sites around the state hosting meal-packing events in honor of MLK, visit Entergy's website.
Acadia Parish
"It Starts With Me!" (Monday, January 16, 2023)
The 2023 Annual City-Wide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program will be hosted at the new MLK Center and Rayne Civic Center. Every year during the month of January, the city of Rayne celebrates the life of the civil rights movement leader by recognizing education, positive achievements and the legacy of Dr. King. The theme for the 2023 program is “It Starts With Me!” with committee members urging the public’s attendance and participation in the program slated throughout the day.
The day will begin at 8:30 am at the new MLK Center located at the corner of Martin Luther King Drive and Lyman Avenue for the “Remembrance Walk” to the Rayne Civic Center where the main program will begin at 11 am.
A special flay raising will be held at 9:45 am once at the Civic Center, followed by a wellness fair inside in the Civic Center at 10:15 am where COVID-19 testing, vaccines and blood pressure screenings will be held.
The program will then begin at 11 am with a panel of guest speakers, youth entertainment, schools, churches and organizations, and awards for school MLK projects. Something new added to this year’s event are addition of the first annual MLK Student Ambassadors. The MLK Student Ambassadors were chosen based off of their academic excellence and commitment to community service. The MLK Student Ambassadors will have certain roles in the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The job of the student ambassador is to promote goodwill and volunteerism in their school and community in living the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Following the program, lunch will be served. In the event of inclement weather, all activities will be held at the Civic Center.
Iberia Parish
MLK Day Celebration (Saturday, January 14, 2023)
Iberia Christian Ministerial Federation is hosting a New Iberian MLK celebration on North Hopkins Street. The celebration is from 1 to 4 pm with free entry and pop-up shop vendors. Guest speakers include Bishop James Gardner and Dr. Fairies Hill.
38th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual March (Monday, January 16, 2023)
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. march will start in Loreauville Park at 10 am, and end at Our Lady of Victory Church where a program will follow.
The program will feature gospel singer and songwriter Joyce Sorrell who will perform for her 38th year in celebration of Dr. King.
For anyone wanting to help or participate, contact Joyce Sorrell at (337) 884-0067 or Mike Sorrell at (337) 229-4072.
St. Landry Parish
"Save The Date" (Monday, January 16, 2023)
The 41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Memoriam will be held at 732 North Union Street in the Holy Ghost Catholic Church located in Opelousas. The program commences at 2 pm. For more information, contact Mrs. Rebecca D. Henry at (337) 945-5064.
St. Martin Parish
Remembering MLK (Sunday, January 15, 2023)
Join the City of St. Martinville in memory of Dr. King at 2 pm in the Adam Carlson Memorial Park. The event will feature guest speaker Mr. Ravis Martinez, poems and skits performed by St. Martin Parish school students, and music by Mrs. Glenda Sonnier.
St. Mary Parish
MLK Day of Observation (Monday, January 16, 2023)
Commemorate this day with acts of service by joining the MLK Day of Observation in the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts. Located at 501 Main Street in Franklin, the program will begin at noon.
MLK March (Monday, January 16, 2023)
The St. Mary NAACP Branch 6091 will have a march in remembrance of Dr. King that will start at 2:15 pm beginning at Mount Zion Baptist Church on Fourth Street in Morgan City. The march will travel south on Fourth Street making a left-hand turn onto Railroad Avenue where it will conclude at Morning Glory Christian Center.
Vermilion Parish
MLK Event (Monday, January 16, 2023)
With the theme "Better Days Are Coming," this MLK event will be held in the City of Kaplan beginning with a lunch from 10:30 am to 12 pm at 512 N Herpin Avenue. A march will begin at 1 pm. Immediately following the march is a program at 622 E Veteran's Memorial Drive.
Around the State
2023 MLK Parade (Monday, January 16, 2023)
The 2023 MLK Parade welcomes all floats, cars, ATVs, sling shots, bands, and dance groups to be a part of this awesome event. Lineup is from 8 am to 10 am at the Lake Charles Civic Center (north lot). The parade will start at 10 am when leaving the Civic Center. The route will head to Lakeshore to Broad to Enterprise to Mill to Lakeshore and back to the Civic Center ending at 12 pm. There will be an MLK community day immediately after. For more information, visit Southern Touch Entertainment.
MLK Day Forest Restoration Planting (Monday, January 16, 2023)
Looking for a productive way to spend your MLK Day giving back to the community? Lend a helping hand to the forest by adding native plants back into the habitat. This past year, several invasive species were removed from the ecosystem, which resulted in open space in the forest. Help to plant native trees and shrubs at BREC's Forest Community Park to try and restore the local biodiversity and bring the forest back to health. Located at 13900 South Harrells Ferry Road in Baton Rouge, this project will involve hauling plants, digging holes and planting 3 to 15 gallons trees and shrubs. Register in advance at volunteer.brec.org. The event is for people ages 16 and older; however, exceptions will be made for children accompanied by an adult. Everyone must be registered in advance. For more information, email conservation@brec.org.
MLK Day of Service (Monday, January 16, 2023)
Join City Year New Orleans on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to serve at Mildred Osborne Charter School in the New Orleans East community. Volunteers will restore the school’s play yard (which was damaged during Hurricane Ida), create motivational murals and play spaces, and complete classroom projects for teachers. From 8:30 am to 12pm (registration and breakfast at 8 am) at 6701 Curran Boulevard, both individuals and families are welcome! If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by a guardian. Please contact Shannon Zeimetz, Development Director at szeimetz@cityyear.org or (504) 302-5067 to learn more about supporting City Year New Orleans.
