Area events planned to celebrate MLK

Many Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations will continue this year- socially distant, pandemic style.

Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations will continue this year in Lorain County amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Events include the annual Oberlin NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, the city of Elyria’s 35 annual community-wide celebration and the Interfaith Ministries of Lorain County intergenerational celebration.

Claudia Jones, president of the Oberlin NAACP, said she wanted to celebrate the milestones of King while keeping the public socially distant.

“We were afraid people wouldn’t come if we did something in-person,” Jones said. “I also didn’t want to risk spreading the virus.”

During the Oberlin NAACP celebration from 12:15 to 1 p.m., Jan. 18, guests will be able to view musical performances, speeches and prayers via livestream on Facebook.

Additionally, Jones said she hopes people still are able to remember the importance of the day despite the pandemic.

“It was easy to get started planning the event because people wanted to participate,” Jones said. “They wanted to celebrate.”

The city of Elyria’s celebration will take place Jan. 18.

The “Embracing the Dream of the Unknown” celebration includes a commemorative march, caravan and outdoor program.

The caravan and march from Elyria City Hall, 131 Court St., to Elyria High School, 601 Middle Ave., begin at 10 a.m. and the outdoor programming at 10:20 a.m., according to a news release from the city.

“We feel it is important, especially during these times, to continue with our commitment to the principles that Dr. King and the civil rights leaders of his time stood for,” said Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield in the release. “We know with the pandemic, things have to be different, and we are excited to be able to offer a safe way for our residents to be able to engage from their car or home.”

Elyria’s march will include representatives from the city, Elyria NAACP, Lorain County Urban League, YWCA and more.

The caravan is open to community members and will require social distancing.

Individuals, families and organizations looking to participate must arrive at the City Hall Parking Lot between 9:30 and 9:50 a.m. for staging and line placement. Pre-registration is not required.

The outdoor program includes a welcome message, invocation, community message from Whitfield, music and a benediction as well as a community keynote.

The Elyria celebration will be available on CPS Ministry’s 97.3 FM, courtesy of Second Baptist Church and Rev. Carl P. Small, and will be streamed on Facebook Live at www. facebook.com/elyriaohio.

Also, Interfaith Ministries of Lorain County will host a virtual and in-person event to celebrate King’s legacy.

Imam Paul Hasan said the event is not only to celebrate, but to reflect on our time during the pandemic and create a positive outcome for the youth of the community.

“This year has been divisive and difficult on everyone,” Hasan said. “We want this event to be positive and show the community that we need to band together and help each other to get through this.”

Additionally, Hasan said he hopes to give residents at home a show with music, speeches and positive entertainment.

The celebration, which runs from 1 to 3 p.m., is available online and at God’s Kngdom, 423 Washington Ave. in Lorain.

Due to the pandemic, attendance is limited.

People can participate virtually via Zoom at bit. ly/2MTb1Fx or by phone 929-205-6099. The meeting ID is 825 4893 9505, the passcode is 098263.

Following the program, from 4 to 6 p.m., there will be a free food giveaway for 100 people sponsored by Interfaith Ministries of Lorain County in conjunction with Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio.

The distribution of the food boxes will take place at 2637 Broadway in Lorain.