The community of Bainbridge will be holding its observance of the national holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 21, beginning with an opening ceremony at the Decatur County Courthouse and ending with a memorial program at Hutto Middle School.

The commemoration will feature a variety of speeches, performances, and recognition from churches, city and county officials and special guests.

This year’s featured speaker is Willie Adams from Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Rome, Georgia.

Adams has been presented with the Jefferson Award by KVOR-TV in Sacramento and the Martin Luther King Memorial Service Citation from the Beale Air Force Base Black Heritage Community.

He has transformed many lives and increased memberships in churches across the country, while establishing the theme “First things First” based off a scripture found in Haggai 1:4.

While, Adams will be the main speaker, Rev. Wilson from First African Baptist Church will give a reading called the struggle is real, and Marlon Breedlove from Pilgrim Rest M.B. Church will give a speech in memory of the late Mrs. Conyers. Also in attendance, Brock Washington from the NAACP will be giving remarks on the day’s events.

The opening ceremony of the day will be held at the East entrance to the Courthouse on West Street at 9:45 a.m. Opening greetings will be given by the 2018 Grand Marshals, Mr. and Mrs. James Austin. Musical selections will be performed by soloist Lora Akins and by Brandie Sanders of Antioch M.B. Church, Brinson. Prayer will be offered by Jacobs Mortuary.

The group will begin the march/parade to Hutto Middle School for an assembly at 11:45 a.m., where Adams will be the principal speaker.

The program will open with the posting of colors by the BHS Jr. ROTC. District Attorney Joe Mullholland will serve as Master of Ceremonies. They will include selections from the James Clarke Community Choir and a solo by Rodney Harrison along with comments from Kenneth Cutts, Superintendent Tim Cochran, County Commissioner Pete Stephens and Mayor Edward Reynolds.

Following the day’s events, a luncheon will be offered and is open to the public, as are all the other events of the day.