South Carolina’s biggest ceremonies to honor the life of civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. will be held virtually again because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The King Day at the Dome event also had to be held virtually because of the pandemic in 2021, according to the South Carolina chapter of the NAACP. The keynote speaker for the virtual celebration on Jan. 17 will be NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Leon Russell.

The City of Columbia’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration will also be held virtually due to the pandemic and in the interest of public health. The 34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will be held at 4 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker will be Congressman James E. Clyburn.

You can participate in the event on FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube or on the city’s website.

Can’t joins us virtually? Make plans for the City of Columbia Drive-Thru Food Drive.

The drive will be held a drive-thru food drive to benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank as community service project. Due to the pandemic, this year’s food drive will use a drive thru format and observe all COVID-19 safety precautions. Drop off non-perishable food items from 9 am – 3 pm on Monday, January 17 at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, located at 2300 Greene Street.