Itawamba County is ready to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Itawamba will honor King's birthday with a celebration of his life and legacy this Sunday, Jan. 18, beginning at 2 p.m. in front of the ICC Fine Arts Center. The day has been set aside to pay tribute to all King did to bring a nation's people together in freedom.

The event will kick off as it does annually with a large unity march. Each year, a myriad of people join together to march around downtown Fulton in the spirit of unity, King's voice bursting from a stereo system and echoing off the buildings. Anyone who wants to march is welcome to join.

Following the march, at 2:30 p.m., the program will start in proper inside the Fine Arts auditorium. This year's guest speaker will be Judge Sharion Aycock of Fulton.

Emma Cook, president of the Martin Luther King Day Committee, said Aycock was chosen because her position promotes the same ideals that King promoted.

Along with the march and program, there will be musical entertainment and refreshments. The event plays out not unlike a large family get-together, with lots of laughter, music, food and energy.

The event will conclude with the presentation of the annual Spirit of Itawamba Award, which is given to an Itawamba County resident who shows kindness, compassion and generosity to others in the area.

According to Cook, it's important for the people of Itawamba County to come together and celebrate the legacy of a man who helped shape the modern world with his ideals and values.

For more information on the Itawamba County Martin Luther King Day celebration, Unity March, to join the MLK Day planning committee or to nominate an Itawambian for the Spirit of Itawamba award, call 662-791-1888.

Adam Armour can be reached at 862-3141 or by e-mailing adam.armour@itawamba360.com.