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COMMUNITY

MLK events to be held Valley-wide

Glendale plans day of service

Posted 1/13/25

Celebrations and community services events commemorating the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are underway as municipalities and community groups partner for festivities throughout the Valley.

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COMMUNITY

MLK events to be held Valley-wide

Glendale plans day of service

Posted

Celebrations and community services events commemorating the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are underway as municipalities and community groups partner for festivities throughout the Valley.

Municipalities including Phoenix, Surprise, Scottsdale, Mesa and more are among the Valley-wide celebrations honoring the late civil rights leader.

Among the first to celebrate the occasion is the city of Tempe and the Human Relations Commission, which held its 2025 MLK Diversity Awards Ceremony on Jan. 13, recognizing people and organizations committed to diversity, inclusion, and those exemplifying the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to make his dream a reality.

Check local area websites for updates regarding events scheduled throughout the month.West Valley and Phoenix events are detailed below:

Glendale

MLK Day of Service is 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 18, at Sahuaro Ranch Park, 9802 N. 59th Ave., and Manistee Ranch Park, 5127 W. Northern Ave.

HandsOn Greater Phoenix and St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, the city of Glendale welcomes more than 200 volunteers to help glean fruit from Sahuaro Ranch Park to beautify the Glendale landmark. Information: glendaleaz.com

Anthem

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration & Unity Walk 2025 is 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Anthem Civic Building, 3701 W. Anthem Way. In addition to a free continental breakfast at 9 a.m., the fourth annual Anthem MLK Day Celebration includes a unity walk for the community. Information: anthemcouncil.com.

Peoria

Peoria’s Arts and Culture Department with Vibrant Communities will have a community event 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Peoria City Hall Centennial Park back lawn, 8401 W. Monroe Street. Live arts and cultural entertainment includes Jacki Morales from Mega 104.3 as event host, Peoria Unified School District children’s choir performances, singer Lisa Hightower, and the headlining group The Kings of Soul Band, African drumming demonstrations by Lydia Woods of Drum Arizona, and a live mural painting by local artist Cinque Smith. There will be food trucks with complimentary small bites. For a full meal, full plate options will also be available to buy from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Information: peoriaaz.gov/events.

Phoenix

The Arizona Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee hosts the MLK Celebration for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March and Festival starting 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20. City of Phoenix leaders, schools, local businesses, churches and community organizations will pay homage with its traditional MLK March beginning at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E. Jefferson Street, and ending at Hance Park. Assemble at 8:45 a.m. and the march begins at 9 a.m. The MLK Festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver Street, Phoenix. Information: azmlk.org or email info@azmlk.org.

Also in Phoenix, MLK Jr. Mass & Service Awards Breakfast will be held 10 a.m. Jan. 18 at Xavier College Preparatory, 4710 N. Fifth St., Phoenix. St. Josephine Bakhita Mission Parish will host the event offering an opportunity to gather in unity, honor service, and support those in need in the community. Information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-mass-service-awards-service-breakfast-tickets-1067970250769?aff=oddtdtcreator

Surprise

The city of Surprise Human Services and Community Vitality Department hosts the ninth annual MLK Day of Celebration and Service 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 18, at Willow Canyon High School, 17901 W. Lundberg Street. Theme, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve,” encourages community members of all ages to embrace service as a path to greatness.

A volunteer check-in and a free breakfast for the first 500 volunteers starts the day, followed by the celebration program at 9 a.m. with an invocation from Transformation Community Church Pastor Jason L. Flowers, and a welcome address from Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor. TV Broadcaster Susan Casper will emcee. Performances by the Willow Canyon choir, Surprise Sings Community Choir, Voices of Gideon from Gideon Missionary Baptist Church, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Choir and The Be Kind People Project are slated.

The celebration will also highlight local nonprofit organizations and community submissions to the #SurpriseCelebratesMLK challenge to individuals and groups to reflect on “How do you serve?” After the program, from 10 a.m. to noon, attendees participate in hands-on service projects including packing food for a local food bank, assembling hygiene kits, writing letters of encouragement, and more. Preregistration is required, groups and individuals can sign up at surpriseaz.gov/DOSVolunteer. Vitalant mobile blood drive is 8 a.m-12 p.m. Information: surpriseaz.gov/MLK. For sponsorship opportunities or general event information, contact Kara Poling at kara.poling@surpriseaz.gov, or call 623-222-1647.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., MLK Day,

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