The annual MLK Jr. Day parade and celebration is coming up, and it’s the perfect end to a long weekend. The Dr. MLK Jr. Commemoration Committee and the Yakima chapter of the NAACP collaborate for the event and host a full three days of events starting with a basketball tournament on Friday and Saturday at the OIC gym (1001 S. Ninth Avenue).

There’s also an annual worship service at the Breakthrough Church on Sunday at 3 p.m., located at 1220 Business Parkway in nearby Union Gap. However, the grand event on Monday is what many attendees look forward to, with a peace walk starting at 11:30 a.m. at MLK Jr. Boulevard and Fifth Avenue. The peace walk leads up to the march at the Yakima Convention Center at noon, located at 10 N. Eighth Street.

March On

Streets throughout Yakima are closed for the parade route between 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., so plan accordingly. Find a spot from MLK Jr. Boulevard to Eighth Street or on Yakima Avenue all the way to the convention center. After the parade, there are performances and speeches around the convention center.

The entire post-parade is a full hour including a presentation of service awards. It’s where those who honor the spirit of Dr. King are celebrated, including the Lee Paggett food drive hosted by the local school district. A soup kitchen is open to all from 2:30 – 4 p.m. at Henry Beauchamp Community Center (1211 S. Seventh St.), and volunteers are welcome. Call 509-248-6751 for more information.