Reston's 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration | Events

From the Reston Community Center:

RESTON, VA — The 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Birthday Celebration Planning Committee announces Michele Norris, NPR’s host of All Things Considered, as the keynote speaker at the Reston 26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Birthday Celebration on Monday, January 17, 2011. 

The award-winning journalist with more than two decades of experience will reflect on the celebration’s theme, “Are We Keeping the Promise?”  Norris began hosting All Things Considered on December 9, 2002, and was named one of Essence Magazine's 25 Most Influential Black Americans in 2009.  Her incisive and experienced observations will help to invigorate and stimulate discussion at this commemorative celebration. Ms. Norris will also participate in a panel discussion on community service and volunteerism with Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins and Eileen Miller, Senior Consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton.  

The Weekend Celebration begins with a performance by the Reston Community Orchestra at RCC Hunters Woods at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15.  The Celebration continues with the “Voices of Inspiration” concert at the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 16.  The commemorative celebration on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be held on Monday, January 17 at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Youth activities occur for registered participants from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  

The Reston 26th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration weekend is presented by the Reston Community Center in cooperation with Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church, the Office of Fairfax County Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins, Reston Community Orchestra, and Reston Interfaith, with the support of many other religious and civic organizations, business groups, and schools.

For more information contact Kevin Danaher, Community Events Director, at (703) 476-4500, x6166 or via email at Kevin.danaher@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Schedule of Events
Monday, January 17

9:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Marchers assemble at Southgate Community Center. Marchers are encouraged to park at the Hunters Woods Village Center parking lot and take the shuttle bus to Southgate Community Center. Shuttle bus service is available from 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. 

Commemorative March - Kick-Off location is the Southgate Community Center (12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston).  The March begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at RCC Hunters Wood (2310 Colts Neck Road Reston).

10:30 a.m. –  11:30 a.m.

Welcome and Opening

Special remarks by Catherine M. Hudgins  
Hunter Mill District Supervisor

Keynote Address by Michele Norris, NPR’s Host of All Things Considered

Community Service Awards

12:15 p.m.

Community Service & Volunteerism Issue Discussion Panelists: Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, Michele Norris, NPR’s host All Things Considered, and Eileen Miller, Senior Consultant with Booz, Allen & Hamilton

Community Service Projects and
Homelessness Workshop

10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Youth Activities (1st – 6th Grade) -  Ongoing hands-on arts and crafts activities designed to engage youngsters in learning about the Civil Rights Movement and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and pre-registration is highly encouraged.  Use registration #704717-1A for all youth activities.

1:30 p.m.

Art Reception (Celebrating young Reston artists)