As was the case four years ago, this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day coincides with the inaugural celebration of President Barack Obama.
And for those who cannot attend the events in Washington, put on your fancy gowns, Sunday-best suits and dancing shoes and kick off the weekend at the Richmond County Martin Luther King Jr. Gala on Jan. 18.
The gala’s semi-formal affair will begin at 9 p.m. at the East Hamlet Community Center under a black and white theme. The event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres; a deejay, a photographer who will print photos on site; door prizes, a 50-50 raffle and new this year will be a fashion show and a best-dressed couple award.
The “Express Yourself” fashion show will not include any specific clothing categories. Ladies and gentleman can show up or change into any outfit of their choosing to model.
Following the fashion show, couples may enter a best-dressed competition for a chance to win a $25 gift card to FATZ.
“The Gala Committee wanted to do something different this year since it is a doubly special weekend with the second inauguration of President Barack Obama and honoring the legacy and birthday of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Kimberly Harrington, MLK Gala co-chair with Curtis Ingram.
Also new this year is a premier sponsor for the gala. Sandhills Regional Medical Center in Hamlet has come on board to be the primary sponsor for this MLK kick-off event.
Tickets are $10 – the same price since the gala started nine years ago.
All Martin Luther King Day events are brought to the community by the Richmond County Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Foundation and include:
• Jan. 19, 8 a.m. - Prayer Breakfast at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial, sponsored by FirstHealth.
• Jan. 19, 7 p.m. - Youth Extravaganza Talent Show at Leak Street Education and Cultural Center.
• Jan. 20, 7 p.m. – Ecumenical Service at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Hamlet. Speaker is the Rev. Michael Griffin of Pee Dee United Methodist Church in Rockingham.
• Jan. 21, 10 a.m. - Commemorative Parade/March. Assemble at Leath Memorial Library. March proceeds to the Richmond County Courthouse for a brief rally.
• Jan. 21, 12:00 p.m. - Luncheon at Sidney Grove Church of Deliverance in Ellerbe. Speaker is Kathi Harrington Gibson, educator.
“We are really grateful to have Sandhills Regional as a sponsor for the gala. The hospital has historically been supportive of Martin Luther King Day activities, but took it to a whole new level this year,” said Ingram.
For more information about the gala, call Kimberly Harrington at 704-294-9431 or Ingram at 910-206-1240.
For more information about the fashion show or to participate, call Doris Rodwell at 910-334-6771 or Bernice Broady at 910-334-9132.
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