The Martin Luther King Coalition in Leesville has announced the full slate of activities in celebration of the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.  Rev. Joseph Garner, with Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville, is chairman of this year’s coalition committee.

Thursday January 16, a Spelling Bee and Oratorical Contest for children and teens will be held at the Martin Luther King Center,1003 N. Gladys Street in Leesville.  The event begins at 5:30 p.m.  Register for these events prior to their start at 5:30 p.m. at the MLK Center.

Activities on Saturday, January 18, begin with a 10 a.m. community blood drive with LifeShare Blood Center at the MLK Center.  The Annual Scholarship Banquet will be held at the center at 6 p.m.  Tickets for the evening are $20 per person and available by calling Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at 337-238-1779.  Guest speaker for the evening will be Mr. Regionald Seastrunk, longtime Leesville businessman and community leader.

Sunday, January 19, a King Day Community Worship Service will be held at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church beginning at 7 p.m.  A community choir will perform, and the keynote address will be given by Rev. Cedric High of the New Birth Baptist Church in Leesville.

The weekend wraps up on the Federal holiday, Monday, January 20, with the annual MLK Day Parade.  The lineup will be at 9 a.m. on the corner of Highway 171 and MLK Drive in Leesville.  The parade will roll at 10 a.m., ending at the MLK Center on Gladys Street.  Following the parade there will be free refreshments, food and celebration speakers at the Center.

For information on all events call Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at 337-238-1779.