On Monday, events are planned throughout the nation, including Effingham County, to honor the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the late, great civil rights’ leader who was assassinated in 1968. The 2022 celebration is the 39th observance of MLK Jr.  Day in Effingham County.

The MLK Jr. Observance Day Committee and its chairperson, the Pastor Lon Harden of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Guyton, have announced the schedule of events. 

Harden said that the theme of this year’s celebration is “Strength in Unity: A Dream to Continue.” That theme was presented by Terrian Edwards, a senior at Effingham County High School.  

At 10 a.m., the annual MLK Jr. Observance Day Parade will take place, starting at Laurel Street and proceeding to the Effingham County Fairgrounds, 1015 South Laurel Street, Springfield. The grand marshal is Bishop Richard D.M. Garvin, the senior pastor at Hutchinson Longstreet Missionary Baptist Church Inc., Stilson.

At the fairgrounds, the traditional youth program will take place at noon. The winners of the theme, essay and poster contests      will be announced. 

Harden added that event speakers will be announced as well.