Ashland, Ore. — On Monday January 15, join community members for Southern Oregon’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Holiday Celebration from noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Historic Ashland Armory in downtown Ashland. The event is free and open to the public.

Come celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and our diverse and vibrant community. Seating is limited and available on a first come basis. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. This is a family event and all ages are welcome.

The event and online simulcast are sign-language interpreted. 

This year, the celebration’s theme is “We Choose Love! Now more than ever, the DREAM must continue.”

This year’s Keynote speech will be delivered by historian, educator, and longtime host, D.L. Richardson.

The celebration will include messages from faith leaders in the valley, and performances by the Ashland School District Middle School Choir, the Rogue Valley Peace Choir, BASE Youth Dancers, spoken word from area students, and The Friends of Bishop Mayfield Band who will perform a tribute to the beloved local blues legend. There will also be a slideshow presentation on the need for the Civil Rights Movement, as we celebrate the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act, sixty years later.

Finally, in keeping with a long-time tradition, we will march from the Armory to the downtown Plaza to hear Dr. King’s original, “I have a Dream,” speech, where the Kirby Shaw Singers will perform.

IF YOU GO

What: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration

When: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, January 15.  Doors will open at 11:30 am

Where: Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St., Ashland
The show will also be live streamed at SOMLK.org

Admission: FREE, but donations are welcome. We encourage everyone to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the SOU Food Pantry.

This is a true community event with sponsors and participants from the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Travel Ashland, the City of Ashland, The Ashland School District, Southern Oregon University, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland Food Co-Op, Black Southern Oregon Alliance, and Black Alliance for Social Empowerment.

Contact:

Angela Decker, (541) 499-1651, decker4@gmail.com

D.L. Richardson, dl_richardson@soesd.k12.or.us

Jessica Freedman, jessica@baseoregon.org,