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Day on, not off: 13 events to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King with these Martin Luther King, Jr. Day marches, speeches and services.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — All day on Jan. 15, you can celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King with these Martin Luther King, Jr. Day marches, breakfasts, speeches and services.
Every event listed below is open to the entire community. Events are free unless noted otherwise. View a full list of MLK Day events.

Memorial services, movies and marches

Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast - This annual tradition, now in its 38th year, features a discussion from keynote speaker Rabbi Lucy H.F. Dinner, Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Or in Raleigh, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center in Durham. Breakfast is served from 6 to 8 a.m., and the program begins at 7:30 a.m. Watch the Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on WRAL-TV at 8:00 a.m., on FOX 50 at noon and on WRAL.com.
25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast - This 8 a.m. breakfast at the Crown Exposition Center in Fayetteville features keynote speaker Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III. Tickets are $23 at the door.
MLK Day of Service 5K - Meet on campus at UNC for this run honoring Dr. King. Race proceeds will benefit Girls on the Run of the Triangle and Healthy Girls Save the World.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship Service - The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council will hold a special worship service on Sunday, Jan. 14 at Manna Church.
MLK Holiday March - This community march departs from State Capitol Building in downtown Raleigh. Dress warmly. Assembly begins at 10 a.m.
Chapel Hill Celebration - UNC's MLK Celebration Week features a unity dinner, candlelight vigil, artistic interpretations, and opportunities for cross-cultural and intergroup dialogue.

Service projects

Triangle Parks Day of Service - This is a multi-park volunteer opportunity on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to commemorate the National Day of Service. All ages are invited to help clean up litter in specified areas of Falls Lake State Recreational Area, Eno River State Park and Umstead State Park on Glenwood Ave. Trash bags and rubber gloves will be provided. Check the temperatures and plan to dress warmly.
United Way of the Greater Triangle Day of Service - Sticking with the "day on, not day off" motto, search for dozens of local service projects here.
MLK Day of Service - Help clean up Good Hope Farm in west Cary. Two shifts are available from 10 a.m. to noon or 2 p.m. to 4. Registration is required.

For kids and families

Remember the Legacy through the Arts - This free event from the entire family features visual art displays, poetry, open mic, community discussions, live performances and arts and crafts projects at the W.D. Hill Recreation Center in Durham.
Birthday Party for MLK at Northgate Mall - Interactive activities, crafts, performances, service projects and birthday cake make up this free event celebrating Dr. King at Durham's Northgate Mall. Participants are asked to donate nonperishable food, gently used children's winter clothing and coats or new underwear/socks for local families in need.
Community Heroes Day - Celebrate community heroes at Marbles Kids Museum. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids and their parents can meet real community heroes like paramedics, teachers and police officers and help pack food for the Backpack Buddies program.
Dream Big Book Drive - This event is simultaneously a book drive, volunteer event, and celebration of literacy and books for all kids at Durham Central Park. Highlights of this year's event include performances by Batala Durham and NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble as well as visits from Wool E. Bull and Clifford the Big Red Dog!

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