Monday, the community came together to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with an annual parade and church program at the Rose of Sharon Church of God in Christ.

City, county and religious leaders joined community members in a celebratory procession from Pleasant Valley Baptist Church down Rosa Street to North Beech Street and then to the Rose of Sharon. Members of local choirs, drill teams, church groups and organizations such as the Picayune Memorial High School NJROTC marched or rode on festively decorated vehicles, throwing beads at the crowd of spectators lining both sides of the street.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Committee has sponsored the program for the past 10 years. This year’s theme, “I Have a Dream,” honored King’s famous speech from 1963.

Avis Taylor said she’s watched the parade with her family and friends every year since its inception.

“It’s great to be with family and friends to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and it’s a good thing to see people coming out on this special occasion to honor his legacy,” Taylor said.

Immediately following the parade, the church began the second-half of the program, which included prayer, a tribute to Dr. King and a speech from the church’s Pastor, David Simmons, who was introduced by Pearl River County District I Supervisor Donald Hart.

Simmons spoke about the power of Dr. King’s words in his “I Have a Dream” speech and what the community can do to make his words a reality.

“Dr. King had a dream, but with him having a dream he had to have foresight and see into the future and you have to have 20/20 vision to do so,” Simmons said. He added, “We don’t want to forget about past events, but we have to move forward. I suggest we become proactive and not wait for something to happen. Let’s develop relationships with each other.”

Evelyn Spanks delivered the welcome address. She said she’s been delivering similar types of addresses for the past 10 years at various churches in the community.

“This year is a special day for me to do this address remembering and applauding Martin Luther King Jr. He blazed the way to equality for those of us who did not know the way and he was a voice in the wilderness for those of us whose voice was stilled because of the fear and oppression,” Spanks said.

The local NJROTC led the pledge of allegiance and Fr. Jonathan Filkins and Rev. Henry S. Marshall delivered scriptures respectively.

Comments were made by several community leaders including Picayune Mayor Ed Pinero and the service concluded with a benediction and blessing of food by Simmons.