Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration will be held Monday morning in downtown Sevierville.
“I Have a Dream Commemoration” is a tribute to civil rights leader Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. planned for Jan. 19, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Sevierville. The event will include a march through downtown Sevierville. Civil rights activist, historian and author Robert J. Booker will deliver the Keynote Address. There will be remarks by elected officials and musical performances. The event is free and open to the public.
People will gather in the parking lot of First Baptist Church, 317 Parkway in Sevierville, at 10:00 a.m. for refreshments and a prayer led by Bishop Zack Flack, Pastor of Boyds Creek Church of God.
A march begins at 10.30 a.m., departing from the First Baptist Church parking lot and traveling on Court Avenue to Bruce St., where it will circle the Sevier County Courthouse and return to the First Baptist Church. All individuals and organizations are welcome to participate in the march or line up along the route. The Sevierville Police Department will close portions of Court Ave., Bruce St. and Commerce St. from about 10:15 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. to facilitate the march.
There will be a showing of the “I Have a Dream” video, and then the commemoration ceremony will begin.
Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a crowd from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where he delivered his famous, “I Have a Dream,” speech during the Aug. 28, 1963, march on Washington, D.C.
“I Have a Dream Commemoration” Program
11:25 a.m. Opening Assembly
Opening Remarks
Judge Dwight Stokes, chairman of the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee
Welcome
Pastor Dan Spencer, First Baptist Church – Sevierville
Martin Luther King Community Choir perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Remarks
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters
City of Sevierville Mayor Bryan Atchley
State Senator Doug Overbey
State Representative Dale Carr
State Representative Andrew Farmer
Scripture and Prayer
Rev. Craig Hargrow, Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
11:50 a.m. “From a Distance”
Martin Luther King Community Choir perform “From a Distance” with interpretive dance by Elizabeth Williams School of Dance
12:00 p.m. Keynote Address by Robert J. Booker
Robert J. Booker is a civil rights activist, former executive director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and author of “And There Was Light! The 120 Year History of Knoxville College, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1875-1995” and “Two Hundred Years of Black Culture in Knoxville, Tennessee: 1791-1991”
12:25 p.m. “Light of a Clear Blue Morning”
Sevier County High School Combined Choirs perform “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” directed by Nathan Rhea, Sevier County High School Choral Director
12:30 p.m. Awards & Recognitions
Sevier County Student Martin Luther King Essay & Poster Contest Winners
Martin Luther King 2015 Leadership Award Presentation
12:50 p.m. “We Shall Overcome”
Martin Luther King Community Choir perform “We Shall Overcome”
Benediction
Pastor Dan Spencer, First Baptist Church-Sevierville
Government Offices and Facilities Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Sevier County Closures on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Sevier County Courthouse, government offices and convenience centers will be closed
- Sevier County Sheriff’s Department administrative offices will be closed
- The Sevier County Public Library System, which includes the King Family Library in Sevierville, the Seymour Branch Library, and the Kodak Branch Library, will be closed
City of Sevierville Closures on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- City Hall will be closed
- The Civic Center will be closed
- The Police Department records division will be closed
- Public Works Facility offices will be closed
- All garbage, bulk rubbish, and yard waste, collection services scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2015 will take place on Tuesday, January 20, 2015
- Water and Sewer Department offices will be closed. For emergency assistance please call 865-453-5522
- The Monday, January 19, 2015 Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting has been cancelled
- The Community Center will be open normal operating hours
- The Sevierville Golf Club will be open normal operating hours
- Sevierville Convention Center offices will be closed
City of Gatlinburg Closures on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- All City of Gatlinburg administrative offices and public works offices will be closed
City of Pigeon Forge Closures on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- All City of Pigeon Forge administrative offices will be closed
- The Pigeon Forge Community Center will be open normal operating hours
