Full Slate of Martin Luther King Day Events Begin This Week in Long Branch

By Christopher Sheldon

The life of Martin Luther King, Jr. will be celebrated with several events throughout Long Branch, beginning this Thursday night.

The events will begin at Trinity A.M.E. Church, 66 Liberty St., which will host Gospel Night on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. The night of worship will be hosted by the Rev. Phillip Wilson, pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Church.

The second event is set for Friday, Jan. 17, when the Long Branch Portuguese Club, 191 Broadway, will once again be the place to chow down for the Martin Luther King Soul Food Dinner. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature music by D.J. Yum Yum.

The events will continue on Sunday, Jan. 19 with a Martin Luther King Ceremonial March at 2 p.m. Marchers will gather at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Atlantic Drive and walk to Second Baptist Church, 93 Liberty St.

A Martin Luther King-focused worship led by Rev. Aaron A. Gibson will be held later that day at 3 p.m. at Second Baptist Church. Rev. Tommy Miles of Macdonia Baptist Church in Neptune will be the afternoon's guest speaker.

The final event will be held on Monday, Jan. 20, also at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park. Those who attend will observe Martin Luther King's birthday at 10 a.m. with a program led by Rev. Wilson.

All the events are open to the public.