York County region to honor Martin Luther King. Here’s how to celebrate.
The York County region will honor Martin Luther King Jr. with parades, sports events and community service.
Here are some ways to celebrate:
York County
York Celebration breakfast: The city of York’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration breakfast is 8 to 10 a.m. Jan. 17 at Liberty Baptist Church, 410 Blessed Hope Road. The guest speaker is Janie L. Mines, the first African-American woman to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy, according to the city. Tickets are $10 and seating is limited.
MLK Talent Showcase: York County children will showcase their talents at 5 p.m. Jan. 17 at York Middle School, 1010 Devinney Road. Performances will include a dance-off, slam poetry, drumline and music.
- Parade: The 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in York is 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 18 starting at 5 E. Madison St. The parade starts at Whitesides Cleaners and follows Congress to Pinckney Street. The parade is presented by the Western York County NAACP. In 2017, the Western York County NAACP was recognized by the South Carolina General Assembly for founding the oldest continuous MLK parade in the state, the Herald previously reported.
- MLK Day interfaith breakfast: The Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast is 7:30 to 9 a.m. Jan. 20 at First Baptist Church, 481 Hood Center Drive in Rock Hill. Faith Rivers James, assistant provost for leadership at The Citadel, is the keynote speaker. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at City Hall, 155 Johnston St.; Rock Hill Housing and Neighborhood Services, 150 Johnston St.; and Rock Hill police substation, 46 Sunset Drive.
- Clover breakfast: The United Men’s Club of Clover’s first annual MLK Prayer Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Larne Building, 103 N. Main St. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online.
- Basketball: The Martin Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Basketball Showcase is Jan. 20 at Rock Hill Sports and Events Center. York Comprehensive High School will take on Catawba Ridge High School at 11 a.m. Rock Hill High plays Brookland-Cayce High at 12:30 p.m., followed by a Clover High vs. Eau Claire High School at 2 p.m. Fort Mill High School faces Fairfield Central at 3:30 p.m., followed by Nation Ford High vs. Chesnee High School at 5 p.m. The games wrap up with South Pointe High School vs. Spartanburg High at 6:30 p.m., followed by a game between Northwestern High and Chapman High at 8 p.m.
- Day of Giving: Winthrop University students will give back to the community on Jan. 20 for the annual MLK Day of Service. York Technical College and Clinton College students will join Winthrop students in 31 projects, according to Winthrop. Winthrop is hosting a vigil at 7 p.m. in Dina’s Place.
Chester County
- Parade: Chester County’s two-day Martin Luther King Jr. Day festival kicks off with a parade at 3 p.m. Jan. 19. The parade starts at the S.L. Finley Community Center and ends at the Joe Collins Stadium.
- Worship service: The worship service at Friendship Baptist Church is 6 p.m. Jan. 19 following the county’s parade. The Rev. Jake Sanders, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, will lead the service. Joining the service are Calvary Baptist Church Cavaliers, Friendship Male Choir and Redeemed Community Choir.
- Memorial service: The MLK Memorial Service, led by the Rev. Curtis Washington, is at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Temple of Praise Word Deliverance Church. Temple of Praise Choirs and Weeping Mary Male Choir will provide music.
Lancaster County
- Parade: Lancaster County’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade is at 3 p.m. Jan. 18. The parade starts and ends at Barr Street School, 612 E. Meeting St. in Lancaster. Guests are invited to a ceremony following the parade in Barr Street Auditorium, 610 E. Meeting St.
Amanda Harris
The Herald