By LEONARD GRAY Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Plans for the annual observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday are ready, according to organizers.

In St. John the Baptist Parish, the Rev. Forrel Bering of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Reserve is hosting the observance, beginning with an 8 a.m. parade, starting at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School on River Road in Reserve.

The march organizers are also inviting all St. John Parish senior citizens, including those in wheelchairs, as high school students will be provided to stroll the seniors along the parade route.

Grand marshall will be the Rev. Donald Hunter of Baton Rouge, who will also serve as featured speaker for the event. Hunter is the pastor of New Beginning Baptist Church on the Southern University campus.

Hunter served 24 years in state government, including 18 years with the Department of Education. He is the owner of Evaluative and Development Services, a grant-writing and evaluation company.

Stephanie Baloney Pryor reported the program will be conducted, starting at 9 a.m., at the rally site at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, located at 146 E. 20th St. in Reserve. Choirs, dancers and other orators will be participating in the event, along with several parish officials, Pryor added.

Anyone interested in participating may also call Pryor at 536-4357.

In St. Charles Parish, organizer Margaret Marshall plans the annual walk from the West Bank Bridge Park in Luling, starting at 10 a.m., to the parish courthouse in Hahnville.

The march will be led this year by Minister John White, the associate minister of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Hahnville.

When the marcher reach the courthouse, they will be greeted by music, essay contest winners and the words of Prophetess Zelda Coleman Lewis.

Lewis, a native and resident of St. Rose, works with her husband, Pastor Horace Lewis, at Word of Liberty Christian Fellowship.

She has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Xavier University, plus a master’s degree from Tulane University.

Lewis is also the founder of Precious Jewels Women’s Ministry.