MLK events in Ocala

Members of the NAACP Marion County Youth Council march with hundreds of other people during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March on Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Jan. 15, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission, Inc. will again host a number of events in recognition of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s activities have a theme of “Mission Possible II – Uniting the Nation; Building a Future.”

• Jan. 10: Food Drive, 9 a.m., 2nd Bethlehem Association NW 4th Ave. Ocala; contact Ire Bethea at (352) 208-0819 or Rev. Eric Cummings at (352) 804-6871
• Jan. 17: Prayer Breakfast, 9 a.m., Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place,1821 NW 21st Ave. Ocala; contact Loretta Jenkins at (352) 351-0824 or Paula Leahmon at (352)426-8028
• Jan. 17: Wreath Ceremony, noon, Martin Luther King Jr. Park 500 SW MLK Jr. Ave., Ocala; contact Cassandra Boston at (352) 209-2973
• Jan. 17: Youth Day, 1 p.m., Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st. Ave. Ocala; contact Dwanette Dilworth at (352) 207-6036 or Trellis Hagin at (386) 451-1973
• Jan 18: Ecumenical Service, 6 p.m., New St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 2251 NW 2nd St., Ocala
• Jan. 19: MLK March, 8 a.m. lineup in downtown Ocala, march steps off at 9 a.m. and goes to Webb Field at the Martin Luther King Recreation Complex, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala; transportation will be available at 7 a.m. from the racquetball court at the complex; contact Ire Bethea at (352) 208-0819
• Jan 19: Day in the Park, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Webb Field; for activities/vendors, contact Dwanette Dilworth at (352) 207-6036, for stage entertainment, contact TeSha Jackson at (352) 426-0861