On the 90th anniversary of his birth, citizens across Washington Parish will have several different opportunities to remember and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the nation’s most important champions for civil rights and non-violent protest, King was born Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Ga., and his memory is celebrated on the third Monday in January. There are a number of events and other activities planned around the Monday holiday in the coming days.

On Saturday in Varnado, the Concerned Citizens will be holding a parade at noon. After the parade, a program will be held at Varnado High School featuring refreshments and activities.

Also Saturday, there will be a citywide cleanup day in Bogalusa. The event is part of the “Day of Action” theme that is associated with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Bogalusa High School parking lot off Willis Drive, and the cleanup is scheduled to continue until about 1 p.m.

On Sunday, the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church, located at 1104 Poplas St. in Bogalusa, will commemorate King’s contributions during its 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday. The message will be delivered by church pastor, Dr. Raymond E. Mims Sr. The theme for the worship service is “Justice for All.”

Any fraternities, sororities, service clubs, organizations, soloists or choirs that would like to participate in the program should call Marvin C. Austin Sr. at 985-570-4547 or Celeste Young at 985-750-4499.

On Monday, both Bogalusa and Franklinton will have citywide events in honor of King’s legacy.

In Bogalusa, a march will begin at 2 p.m. at the corner of MLK Drive and North Avenue, concluding with a program at 3 p.m. at Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church. Mayor Wendy Perrette will serve as the program’s keynote speaker.

In Franklinton, the annual MLK Celebration will be held at 10 a.m. at the R.W. Johnson Auditorium, located at 610 T.W. Barker Drive. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Norwert Hills Sr., pastor of Sweet Rest Missionary Baptist Church, and the special guest will be “The Divine Nine.”

Attendees are asked to keep King’s message of service by bringing items to donate to the local food bank. Suggested items include cereal, jelly, lotion, snacks, canned foods, paper towels, toothpaste, peanut butter, mustard, soup, toilet paper, detergent, ketchup, deodorant or diapers.

For more information, call Kewanda August at 985-515-4404 or Sameria Warner at 985-335-8028.

Editor’s Note: If any other churches or groups are having MLK related activities, please let The Daily News know about them before 5 p.m. Thursday, so we can publish them in the community calendar and church news in this weekend’s paper. Email the information to justin.schuver@bogalusadailynews.com.