Key events in the Rock Hill region celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

With Martin Luther King Jr Day on Monday, several events are being held to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil Rights leader.

Here is a list and start times of events that are being held in the area that you can either attend or participate in:

Thursday, January 12-Monday, January 16

MLK Blues Festival: The festival runs through Jan. 16 at Carolina Hall and Courtyard, 119 College Street, Chester, S.C. Details: www.oldeenglishdistrict.com/events/30th-annual-mlk-blues-festival

Friday, January 13-Thursday, January 19

Winthrop University MLK Service Week: Winthrop University will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a week of service projects sponsored by student organizations.

This year’s community service options are available through Jan. 19 either on campus or with York County agencies. There are no Winthrop classes and offices are closed on the King federal holiday on Jan. 16.

Participating organizations will be invited to a MLK Reflection lunch on Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. in the Richardson Ballroom to share insights.

The service projects include sustainability efforts, hygiene kit assembling, food donation sorting, clothing sorting, craft projects and other activities.

To follow Winthrop’s MLK activities on social media, search for #MLKServiceWeek2023.

Saturday, January 14

Western York County NAACP MLK Parade: York, SC, 1 p.m. Details: email wycomlkparade@gmail.com.

Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have A Dream” Celebration -- Downtown Lancaster, SC, 3 p.m. The parade will be in downtown Lancaster. After that, there will be a 4 p.m. ceremony at the Barr Street Auditorium.

Monday, January 16

Fort Mill Call to Service Day: Fort Mill Town Hall, 200 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill, SC, 8 a.m.-noon. The town will spotlight seven area organizations that each need critical items for the populations they serve. Tow residents are asked to serve their community and honor Dr. King’s legacy by donating the items listed below.

The organizations and the items they need include:

• Adult Enrichment Center/Renew Memory Care: Requesting gift cards to Lowe’s or Walmart to buy supplies for memory care clients.
• Bethel Shelters: Requesting men’s boxers, t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweatpants (all sizes). See Amazon wishlist at https://bethelshelters.org/donate
• Classroom Ready: Requesting highlighters, pencil sharpeners with shavings collection, child sizes scissors (5-7 inches), tab page dividers (5 or 8 tab), loose leaf graph paper.
• Fort Mill Care Center: Requesting instant coffee, grits, pancake syrup, paper towels, cleaning wipes, all-purpose cleaner.
• Historic Paradise Foundation: Requesting gift cards to Walmart to buy supplies for their afterschool program.
• Palmetto Women’s Center: Requesting diapers (size 1 and larger) and baby wipes.
• York County Council on Aging: Requesting non-perishable food items (tuna, salmon, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, canned fruit, pudding), laundry detergent, dish detergent, gloves,scarves, hats, hygiene products (for men and women)

Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast: First Baptist Church, corner of Dave Lyle Boulevard and Hood Center Drive, Rock Hill, SC. 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.

This is an ongoing story. Check back for more updates.