By Rita Howell

Plans are under way for the local observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

A weekend of activities is planned for January 15-18, culminating with a commemorative march on Monday, January 18, the national holiday observed in King’s honor, according to Dr. Zannie Leland, who is helping to coordinate the observance.

Groups helping plan local activities are the South Panola High School Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y Clubs and the Sardis District Ministerial Alliance.

The weekend will begin with a basketball jamboree on Friday, January 15 at the Batesville Junior High School gym, beginning at 6 p.m. Dennis Hoskins is directing this event and may be contacted at 934-6474 for information.

Activities will continue on Saturday, January 16, with a Black Business Expo at the Patton Lane Community Center from noon until 6 p.m. Dr. Marlon Coleman is coordinating the expo and can be contacted at 267-8611 for information.

A Commemoration Musical will be presented at the Sardis District Educational Building at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Rhonda Leland at 654-0420.

On Martin Luther King Day, clergy and community leaders are invited to participate in a breakfast and prayer service at 8 a.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Groups participating in the march are asked to be at Mt. Zion Church at 9 a.m. to assemble for the procession, which begins at 10 a.m. Groups are asked to create banners reflecting this year’s theme, “Living the Legacy of a Dream Fulfilled.”

The march will proceed down Panola Ave., around the Square and culminate at Batesville Intermediate School, where a program will begin at 11 a.m. The speaker will be the Rev. Bartholomew Orr, pastor of Brown Baptist Church in Southaven. Orr has served as senior pastor at Brown for 20 years and spoke at last year’s King Day program in Batesville.

For information about the commemorative service, contact Leland at 563-3020.