NATCHEZ — Area schools, churches and organizations are busy applying finishing touches to events honoring civil rights pioneer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Southwest Mississippi Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women will sponsor a youth rally at 11 a.m. Saturday at McLaurin Elementary School. The event is free and open to public, coalition member Leola Harris said.

“Our title this year is ‘Fulfilling the Dream a Year Later,’” Harris said. “We will have praise teams and step teams performing, and a young lady from Robert Lewis Middle School will be reciting an original poem commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. King.”

On Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Doty Road Church of God in Ferriday will sponsor its first ever Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at 10 a.m., the Rev. Simeon Green said.

Guest speakers include Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin, attorney Derrick D. Carson, former educator Bertha Jackson and Concordia Economic and Industrial Development Director Heather Malone. Evangelist Lillian King will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

“(The breakfast) is a continuation of the community outreach and back-to-school extravaganza we had back in August,” Green said. “This is an opportunity for us to come together, feast together and share together.”

At 11 a.m. Monday, the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture will host its “I Have A Dream Youth Luncheon” at the Natchez Convention Center. The cost of the luncheon is $10 per person.

NAPAC board member Juanita Jones said the luncheon will feature superb youth talent from the Miss-Lou. Courtland Morgan, a senior honor student at Ferriday High School, will be guest speaker. To reserve seating, call Jones at 601-446-5752.

At 2:30 p.m. Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. parade will kick off on Broadway Street in Natchez. Parade participants are scheduled to line up at 1:30 p.m., parade chairman Katie Ruth Moore said.

Among the participants are the Robert Lewis Middle School and Natchez High School bands. Schools, churches and organizations can still sign up for the parade by calling Moore at 601-445-5957.

The parade route runs along Franklin Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Street and ends at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Minor Street.