Thursday, January 15, 2026–8:45 a.m.
-Staff reports-
On Thursday, Jan. 15, which would have been Dr. King’s 97th Birthday, a wreath was placed at the Martin Luther King Jr. monument at Five Points.
Rome and Floyd County’s four-day celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. begins Friday night at the Rome City Auditorium.
The Youth Talent Showcase begins at 6 p.m. and spotlights the talent of local youth with performances in dance, vocal music, spoken word, and more.
“We are going to highlight and feature our youth—our young citizens of Rome and surrounding counties,” said Rome City Commissioner Elaina Beeman, who also serves on the local King Commission. “This is our opportunity to pour back into our young people to let them know not only do we believe in them, but we also support them and stand by them, and we want them to become pillars in our community. This time, the kids will be competing for first, second, and third-place prizes. First place will receive $250. Second place will receive $150, and third place will receive $100.”
On Saturday, the Family Prayer Breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. at the Lovejoy Baptist Church Life Center on Branham Avenue
“Dr. Dennis Drummond, the current principal at West End Elementary and the newly elected assistant superintendent of Rome City Schools, will be our keynote speaker,” said former Rome Mayor and King Commission member Sundai Stevenson. “We will also feature the Children’s Community Choir. So, they will be singing, and there are others on the program.”
On Sunday, at 5 p.m., the Ecumenical Worship Service will be held at the North Broad Baptist Church. The keynote speaker will be Bishop Thomas Brown Sr.
“We have faith leaders from all walks of life that will be involved in the program on Sunday,” Stevenson said. “You know, we are trying to encompass everything that Dr. King did—from education to church. Dr. King was a Baptist minister, and then he was led to be socially and civically involved. So, we try to make sure we cover all of those areas over the four-day weekend.”
On Monday, the Freedom March will make its way up Broad Street, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
There will be a noontime program at the Rome City Auditorium, featuring a keynote address from Georgia State Representative Tanya Miller.
Lunch will be provided following the program at the Rome Civic Center.
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