Politics & Government
Local Events and Closings For Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 17. Here's a sampling of celebrations being held on Sunday and on Monday, and a list of which government services will be closed and which will remain open.
It has been nearly 48 years since the March on Washington culminated with Martin Luther King Jr. ascending the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and delivering his epochal "I Have A Dream" speech. Nearly 43 years have passed since King's assassination.
This will be the 26th year in which Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been observed as a federal holiday. He would have been 82 as of this past Saturday.
Beyond the closings on Monday, a day set aside in tribute to King's memory and his mission, there are the celebrations being held on Sunday and Monday of his life and his life's work.
Find out what's happening in Columbiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On Sunday, at Smith Theatre, the Howard County Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission is holding its annual event. This year, the featured speaker is Roslyn Brock, chairwoman of the NAACP's board of directors.
County Executive Ken Ulman and C. Vernon Gray, chairman of the county's office of human rights, will be at the celebration, too.
Find out what's happening in Columbiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The event will also include performances by cultural groups, and the awarding of prizes to the winners of a student essay contest about King and his legacy.
The reception starts at 2 p.m. The event begins at 3 p.m. While it is free and open to the public, people are asked to bring donations of canned food that will go to the Howard County Food Bank.
Also on Sunday, the will hold a service in celebration of King. The service starts at 10 a.m. at Oliver's Carriage House and will include a band that will play freedom songs. The church is Christian non-denominational.
And on Monday, Ulman and Governor Martin O'Malley are slated to volunteer time at the Howard County Food Bank as part of the Martin Luther King "Day of Service," according to Bita Dayhoff, president of the Community Action Council of Howard County.
O'Malley is to stock food on the shelves for clients who will come in the next day, Dayhoff said.
That event scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the food bank, which is located at 8920 Route 108 in Columbia.
If you know of other celebrations, please feel free to add them in the comments section below.
As for closings, here's a list of what will and will not be open:
Animal shelter Closed County government offices Closed Courts Closed Emergency services Always staffed Landfill Open Library Closed Parking regulations and fees In effect Public Transit Regular Schools and school offices Closed Trash/Recycling Pick-up RegularGet more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
