Martin Luther King Jr, Holiday Events - Los Angeles, CA

Martin Luther King Day is January 19^th, 2009. Martin Luther King Jr. is noted for his hard work and selfless efforts to bring equality and justice to all citizens. With MLK Day being one day before the historic Presidential Inauguration of Barack H. Obama, many may want to use this holiday as a way to "make it a day on...not a day off". During this three day weekend, you can plan to get together with friends and family and participate in parades or other volunteer programs.

In Los Angeles County, the following events are being held.

"The MLK Kingdom Day Parade" - 1/19/09

Location - 1530 W Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90062. Parade will be held throughout Baldwin Hills, and Leimert Park Village

Time - 10am - 4pm. Free to public.

Event - Held for the past 20 years. Starbucks will be a local sponsor and will provide beverages. Festival and parade. 150 floats, Arts & Crafts, food, and H.S. marching bands. Popular event, get there early.

"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace and Unity Parade Celebration" - 1/17/09

Location - 1950 Lemon Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806. Parade starts at MLK Jr. Ave, and Anaheim St., proceeding north to MLK Jr. Park.

Time - 10:30 am - 5:00pm.

Event - The parade will have marching bands, equestrians, floats, car clubs, dance groups, and drill teams. At the conclusion of the parade, gather at the festival which includes entertainment, food booths, craft vendors, free health screenings, carnival rides, with games and activities for children. (12:30 - 5:00 pm) Admission free to the public

"Dr. MLK Jr., Celebration! A Dream Realized"- 1/18/09

Location - California African-American Museum. 600 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Time - 11am - 5pm (Museum opens at 11am Live program begins at 1pm) Free event. Parking $8.

Event - A diverse group of artists will perform music, dance and spoken word representing peoples and cultures that influenced Dr. King and those who were inspired by his words and accomplishments. Program includes performer, Dawn Lewis and co-host, Jeffrey Anderson Gunter.www.caamuseum.org/

"Cake for King" - 1/19/09

Location - California African-American Museum. 600 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Event - After the MLK Jr, parade, join CAAM's for a piece of "Cake for King" birthday cake. Also there will be MLK speech screenings and open exhibitions. On display will be the exhibition, A Dream Realized, featuring historic images of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and President-elect Barack Obama.

Volunteer Opportunity - 1/19/09

Kidspace Children's Museum -Kidspace Children's Museum provides creative environments that inspire learning through self-directed, interactive experiences and play in the arts, sciences and humanities, to enrich children, families and the community. www.kidspacemuseum.org

Location - 480 N Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena CA, 91103

Contact - Leigh Urbaniak 626.449.9144 x5211

Duties - During "A Day of Tolerance" event volunteers are needed to assist in various stations throughout the museum by refreshing exhibit areas and responding to guests' needs. Volunteers help Museum Educators to facilitate programming such as art projects, story time, and activities as well as enforce safety policies and emergency procedures.

Volunteer Opportunity - 1/17/09- 1/19/09

Hope Worldwide - HOPE worldwide serves the poor from Jamaica to Russia to South Africa to China to the United States. www.hopeww.org

Location: 3731 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA, 90017

Contact - Vince Flowers 310-869-8284

Duties - Community beautification, working with the homeless, disaster preparedness outreach to children and families in the Los Angeles.

Get more event and volunteer information at www.mlkday.gov/

Also, get motivated by listening to MLK Day inspired PSA's. PSA's feature recordings of Dr. King's voice and narration by Isaac Newton Farris, Jr., CEO and President of the King Center in Atlanta www.mlkday.gov.