The 2019 Original KingFest Celebration will be kicked off Tuesday, Jan. 15. The general theme for the week is “From Nonviolence to No Violence.” The Original KingFest Parade Theme is: “Nonviolence is a Way of Life for Courageous People.”
“The Original KingFest Celebration honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., while promoting interracial cooperation, community service, and an appeal for mentors,” according to a news release. “All activities are open to the public and there is no charge to participate or attend events.”
The updated schedule of events include:
• Noon, Tuesday, Jan. 15 – Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration (PBICVR) Original KingFest Celebration Kickoff will be held at the Pine Bluff Country Club, 46th Avenue and Cherry Street. The speaker will be National Parks Service Superintendent Robin White of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. The 11th annual kick-off will be held with both Pine Bluff Rotary Clubs. This meeting is open to the public.
• Wednesday, Jan. 16 — Student Pledge against Violence Day — Pine Bluff, Watson Chapel and Dollarway school districts.
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• Thursday, Jan. 17 – PBICVR PEN OR PENCIL MLK Birthday Bash Schools.
• 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 18 – PBICVR Original KingFest Celebration Youth/Young Adult Gospel Extravaganza will be held at the Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 W. Pullen Ave., at Pine Bluff.
• Saturday, Jan. 19 – Original KingFest Celebration Community Service Day will be held in partnership with the city of Pine Bluff.
• 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 20 — The Justice Sunday Commemoration Program will be held at Family Church Pine Bluff campus, 2309 S. Poplar St. The speaker will be Willie Roaf, a Pine Bluff native and National Football League Hall of Fame football player.
• 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 21 – The 35th annual PBICVR Original KingFest Celebration (Parade/March) will be held beginning with the lineup at 1 p.m. at the Jefferson County Courthouse. The Grand Parade Marshal will be Willie Roaf. Also, the fourth annual OKFC/Lorenzo Smith Battle of the Bands, an additional competition, is added for elementary school students.
A brief youth-led educational program for children will be held at the Pine Bluff Convention Center after the OKFC Parade/Marade.
Details: www.pbicvrpenorpencil.com or Derrick L. Newby Sr., 870-730-1131.