Holley Lacy, left, leads the MLK Celebration Ensemble with Sandra Wright, center, and Maria Caycedo during the Community Celebration for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church in Everett. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Holley Lacy, left, leads the MLK Celebration Ensemble with Sandra Wright, center, and Maria Caycedo during the Community Celebration for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church in Everett. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Where to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Snohomish County

From a tribute event at Edmonds Waterfront Center to a MLK Jr. march in Everett, Dr. King’s legacy lives on.

EDMONDS — Several events celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. are coming up in Snohomish County.

Everett

At 11:30 a.m. Friday, the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee will host its first-ever MLK Jr. march followed by a rally in Everett.

All ages are welcome to participate in the mile-long march from Everett Memorial Stadium to the Carl Gipson Center. At the center, attendees can expect speakers, food trucks, community resource information and essays from the Prodigies For Peace award winners.

At 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the First Presbyterian Church of Everett will host a service entitled “The Urgency of Now; From Dream to Reality.” There will be be speakers, music and presentations. The service will be streamed online.

DanVonique Bletson-Reed, president of the heritage committee, said she’s excited to host the first march and to continue the Sunday service’s tradition of being the “oldest and longest celebration to commemorate the life of Dr. King in Snohomish County.”

“Our community choir has been working diligently since October, and we’re excited to share our songs of faith and hope,” Bletson-Reed said.

Edmonds

At 5:30 p.m. Monday, a fifth annual tribute entitled “When Love Changes Things” will be held at Edmonds Waterfront Center. Hosted by Lift Every Voice Legacy, the event will start with a 30-minute reception followed by a two-hour program featuring storytellers, song, spoken word and dance.

Donnie Griffin, founder and president of Lift Every Voice Legacy, said he hopes to share Dr. King’s message of love with the community and to reach the “in-betweeners.”

“The in-between people are the ones who walk between all cultures — walk between conservatives, and liberals, rural and urban — they can reach across those divides,” Griffin said. “The in-betweeners are going to be the people who save this country. I’m looking for them.”

Monday’s event includes “featured storyteller” Leilani Miller, the executive director of Millennia Ministries in Everett. There will also be performances from Josephine Howell, a gospel, R&B and jazz singer. Tickets are $15.

“This is creating space for people who want to be a part of a community free of hatred, injustice and poverty,” Griffin said. “Dr. King talks about the beloved community as a place of love, redemption and reconciliation. Love your enemies, love your neighbors. Forgive them for the things they do wrong, and then reconcile with them.”

At the event, the 2023 Beloved Community Award will be presented to Kurt and Craig Campbell and Suni Tolton. The Campbells, who own Campbell Auto Group, have helped lead the development of Jacob’s Well, a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing, child care and support services for homeless mothers. Tolton is the diversity and inclusion coordinator for the City of Shoreline and has worked to unite the community by overcoming boundaries such as race, gender, gender-identity or economic status.

“These are people who aren’t looking for awards,” Griffin said. “My hope is that people will want to be a part of this beloved community movement.”

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

Lynnwood

From 9 a.m. to noon Monday, the City of Lynnwood will host a day of service to honor MLK Jr. Entitled “A Day On Not A Day Off,” volunteers will help clear invasive species and beautify Scriber Lake Park. Materials, such as shovels or rakes, will be provided. Volunteers are asked to meet at 5601 198th St. SW. Register at lynnwoodwa.gov, or contact Marielle Harrington, 425-670-5532, mharrington@lynnwoodwa.gov.

Kayla J. Dunn: 425-339-3449; kayla.dunn@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @KaylaJ_Dunn.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Frank DeMiero founded and directed the Seattle Jazz Singers, a semi-professional vocal group. They are pictured here performing at the DeMiero Jazz Festival. (Photos courtesy the DeMiero family)
‘He dreamed out loud’: Remembering music educator Frank DeMiero

DeMiero founded the music department at Edmonds College and was a trailblazer for jazz choirs nationwide.

Provided photo 
Tug Buse sits in a period-correct small ship’s boat much like what could have been used by the Guatamozin in 1803 for an excursion up the Stillaguamish River.
Local historian tries to track down historic pistol

Tug Buse’s main theory traces back to a Puget Sound expedition that predated Lewis and Clark.

Archbishop Murphy High School on Friday, Feb. 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Former teacher charged with possession of child pornography

Using an online investigation tool, detectives uncovered five clips depicting sexual exploitation of minors.

A person waits in line at a pharmacy next to a sign advertising free flu shots with most insurance on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Have you had the flu yet, Snohomish County? You’re not alone.

The rate of flu-related hospitalizations is the highest it’s been in six years, county data shows, and there are no signs it will slow down soon.

City of Everett Principal Engineer Zach Brown talks about where some of the piping will connect to the Port Gardner Storage Facility, an 8-million-gallon waste water storage facility, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Port Gardner Storage Facility will allow Everett to meet state outflow requirements

The facility will temporarily store combined sewer and wastewater during storm events, protecting the bay from untreated releases.

Founder of Snohomish County Indivisible Naomi Dietrich speaks to those gather for the senator office rally on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Membership numbers are booming for Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter

Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter, a progressive action group, has seen… Continue reading

Snohomish County Councilmember Nate Nehring, left, speaks alongside Councilmember Jared Mead in 2023 at Western Washington University Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Panel discusses county’s proposed Critical Areas Regulations ordinance

The council has yet to announce the next public hearing and when it will decide the outcome of the proposed wetlands ordinance.

Boats docked along Steamboat Slough of the Snohomish River on the north side of Ebey Island, just south of Spencer Island Park. This view is looking south. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20200109
County: Volunteers lack permits for dike improvements

Snohomish County officials has sent a warning letter to volunteers… Continue reading

Snohomish County resident identified with measles

It’s the second positive case of measles reported in Washington this year.

Arlington
PUD to host grand opening for North County office complex

The complex will replace the district’s Arlington and Stanwood offices and serve the northern part of Snohomish County.

Lynnwood City Council members gather for a meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood City Council down to one candidate for its vacant seat

After two failed appointments and seven candidates withdrawing, the council will meet Wednesday to appoint a new member.

Flamingos fill the inside of Marty Vale’s art car. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood’s party car: Hot pink Corolla is 125,000-mile marvel

Marty Vale’s ’91 Toyota has 301 pink flamingos and a Barbie party on the roof.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.