This past weekend was a celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,, through the arts, which culminated with the annual MLK parade Monday in downtown Hinesville.

Friday night’s main feature was “Everybody Has a Voice,” a play production written by Liberty County Commissioners Chairman Donald Lovette. The message of the play was the importance of encouraging others to stand up for themselves in any situation - whether it is to family, friends or society.

Actors also portrayed historical African-American figures who stood up for change.

Before the play, the First Zion Silva Divas, a senior group from Riceboro, danced and got the audience to their feet, then the Liberty County Mass Male Choir sang.

The MLK Musical Extravangza youth night on Saturday had teens and kids dancing on the stage with featured gospel artist Canton Jones.
There were performances by local groups, a mass community choir and SLM Ministries’ Shannon Lecounte.

And then, on a flawless, spring-like day, there was Monday’s parade, with the Rev. Dr. Earnest C. Williams as grand marshal.

Afterward, at a noon commemorative service at Bradwell Institute, the MLK Day Observance Committee honored Evangelist Edna Scott Walthour with the committee’s 2017 Civic Award.

Trailblazer Awards went to a pair of Hinesville City Council members, District 1’s Diane Reid and District 3’s Vicky Nelson.

Both are the first African-American women to represent their districts.

All donations raised during weekend activities will go toward the committee’s MLK 2017 Scholarship Fund for local high school seniors.

The Rev. Thurmond Tillman of First African Baptist Church in Savannah was the keynote speaker.

Friday and Saturday night activities were hosted at Live Oak Church of God in Hinesville.

See more photos on page 15.

Parade winners and other information will run in a future issue.