Editor’s note: The MLK Day of Service has been canceled due to the likelihood of inclement weather Monday morning.
A longstanding tradition, the 20th annual Athens MLK Day of Service invites community members to “make it a day on, not a day off” by spending the federal holiday volunteering for various projects. In addition to annual staples like Adopt-A-Highway cleanups, landscaping and other beautification projects, highlights include creating wooden butterflies for Butterfly Dreams Farm Therapeutic Riding Program, crafting tiles for the Linnentown Mosaic Project and lending a hand at Sweet Olive Farm Animal Rescue. A kickoff event will be held outdoors at Clarke Central High School Monday, Jan. 17 at 8:30 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged at accgov.com/5038/MLK-Day-of-Service.
That same day, the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement and United Group of Artists will co-present the sixth annual Athens MLK Day Parade & Music Festival, a family-friendly event featuring live music, food and vendors, downtown in the historic Hot Corner block. The parade will begin moving at 3 p.m. and will be followed by an honoree ceremony. Highlights include speakers on the main stage at Hull and Washington streets, youth activities at Little Kings Shuffle Club, a hip-hop showcase at World Famous and a reception recognizing community elders, with live performances held at all four locations. Check out athmlkparade.com for details.

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