2003 Martin Luther King Day

The Fort Collins, Loveland and Colorado State University communities will unite Jan. 20 to march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The day will include speakers, performances and a re-creation of the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C.

The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with a program at the Colorado State University Oval, followed by a one-mile march from the Oval to Old Town Square in Fort Collins. The national theme of this year’s celebration is "Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On Not A Day Off!"

Before the march, students interested in learning more about the history of the civil rights movement can attend a presentation at 9 a.m. at the Durrell Center on campus.

The community is invited to a 9:30 a.m. poetry and essay reading at the Colorado State University Bookstore in the Lory Student Center. Readers will include children who participated in the Northern Colorado student writing contest.

The march will proceed east on Laurel Street to College Avenue. The march will continue north on College Avenue to Mountain Avenue. Participants will enter Old Town Square from the northeast intersection of College and Mountain avenues. Traffic along the march route will be closed off during the march. Participants may bring a rhythm instrument to play along the march route.

The program at Old Town Square will include speakers, performers and an opportunity to learn ways to volunteer throughout the community. Participants will be invited to share refreshments and a special birthday cake.

That evening, a program will be held at 7 p.m. in Loveland at Thompson Valley High School. The evening will include a storyteller, essay reading, musical performances and a food and clothing drive.

For more information about Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, call (970) 491-6444.