The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, part of the Human Relations Council, will host its annual weekend celebration to honor the civil rights icon next Saturday through Jan. 21.

The celebration weekend kicks off with a parade through downtown Salisbury from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday. The parade, featuring local school bands, dancers and community organizations, will begin at Main and Liberty streets and end on South Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue near the Salisbury Civic Center.

After the parade, a community program will be held in the Civic Center from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

On Jan. 21, the committee will host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at J.F. Hurley Family YMCA on Jake Alexander Boulevard from 7 to 8:30 a.m. The featured speaker will be announced later.

Organizations interested in participating in the parade should call  704-638-5218 or visit www.salisburync.gov/MLKparade.

Breakfast tickets can be purchased at the city office building, 132 N. Main St., on the second floor or through members of the Human Relations Council.

2019 MLK Unity Prayer Breakfast
8-11 a.m. Saturday, Bethel Baptist Church, 1209 Opal St., Kannapolis. www.eventbrite.com

26th annual Black History Breakfast
9-10:30 a.m. Feb. 8, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Tickets are $7. The theme is “The Magic of Motown” and the influence of music culture. Fran Walker and her band will perform. Breakfast reservations can be made through Feb 1. Call 704-216-7714.

United Ministerial Alliance program

A program honoring the life and legacy of King will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at Tower of Power United Holy Church, 601 E. Cemetery St.. The Rev. Anthony Williams is host pastor. Music will be by the Livingstone College Gospel Choir with liturgical dance by Love Christian Center Dance Team.

The Rev. Lamont F. Foster, pastor of Mount Pisgah AME Zion Church in Rockingham, will speak, along with Bishop W. Ronald Hash, president of the United Ministerial Alliance.

Foster is a retired mental health counselor. He has served as a school administrator with more than 10 years’ experience in North Carolina with Rowan-Salisbury Schools and in Ohio with Akron Public Schools.

He taught at Livingstone College, serving as co-founder and director of the Livingstone After-School and Summer Enrichment programs with Carol Lancaster Meeks of Salisbury. He also taught at Appalachian State University and Winston-Salem State University.