Hampton County has not forgotten slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His dream - and another generation of his dreamers - will march along U.S. Highway 278 from Varnville to Hampton on Sunday afternoon like it has for over two decades.
Hampton County's 2012 MLK Parade will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday.
"This is our 25th anniversary parade and we want to encourage everyone to come out and participate," parade coordinator Gloria Hudson said. "We are looking forward to a large crowd."
The theme is "Keeping the Dream Alive," and this year the Hampton County MLK Steering Committee has chosen two of its own to "represent" at the head of the parade. This year's grand marshal will be longtime committee member J.W. Alls, while the parade marshal will be member Willie "Huddie" Williams.
"J.W. has been with the MLK Committee since the beginning, and Huddie has been there a long time as well," Hudson added. "Because of the dedication they both have shown to the community, we felt these two outstanding gentlemen deserved to be honored."
The parade lineup will begin at 1 p.m. near the parking lot of Varnville Elementary School. You must check in at VES and sign up in order to receive a number and ride in the parade. Bands will be performing, but loud car stereos are discouraged in order to have a respectful parade.
Large photographs of Dr. King will be available to decorate your float or vehicle. Both black and white or color photos are $3.50.
Refreshments will be served at the Old Ben Hazel School in Hampton following the parade.
For more information, or a parade application, call 942-4611.
In other events honoring the legacy of King, the 25th annual MLK Scholarship Ball will be held at 9 p.m. Jan. 21, at the Stone National Guard Armory in Varnville. Tickets can be purchased from any steering committee member, or by calling 943-8507.
A series of church revivals is also tentatively planned for the first week of February, with the details to be announced.
The Dr. King festivities are planned and executed each year by the local MLK Steering Committee, which this year includes Hudson, Williams, J.W. and Susan Alls, Loretta Brown, RoseElla Moore, Juanita Woods, John Perry Williams, Shirley Grayboy, Linda Riley, James Lee Smith, Charles Griffin, and Ann Dailey.