Hundreds of families from metro Atlanta stopped by the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center Jan. 19 to learn more about Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., an Atlanta native and the driving force of the Civil Rights Movement.
Sandy Springs throws an annual celebration to honor King, centering the event around children’s activities, education, and the teachings of justice, equality, and love.
Student volunteers from Sandy Springs public high schools, North Springs, and Riverwood ran each activity station. Both schools have extensive community service programs, pairing teenagers with toddlers and elementary schoolers at each activity station.
The theater’s lobby served as a check-in for attendees to grab their certificates and begin the activities. Freshmen from both Sandy Springs high schools explained to parents and little ones how to earn a star at each activity station.
Station themes, including freedom, community, and liberty, revolve around King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Children traced each other’s hands, worked on a MLK Day mural, completed word-search puzzles, and spent the afternoon doing arts and crafts.
One of the most popular stations in the Byers Theatre lobby each year is storytelling.
North Springs High seniors Zahria Inglis and Felipe Camargo Echeverria read excerpts from “My Brother Martin,” written by MLK’s older sister, Christine King Farris.
Inglis and Echeverria have been volunteering at the city’s annual celebration since they were freshmen, calling their last year “a little bittersweet.” On their day off from class, both spent hours reading to toddlers and elementary schoolers.
Multigenerational celebration
Families from across metro Atlanta, including Roswell and Marietta residents, came to the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center on the federal holiday to give their children a fun, interactive afternoon learning about American history.
The Studio Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center held two screenings of the animated children’s educational film, “Our Friend, Martin,” which follows two sixth graders as they time-travel to meet King at different points in his life.
The 400-seat theater was packed with families for the 1:15 p.m. showing, including Mayor Rusty Paul with his wife and grandchildren in tow. Paul opens each MLK Day celebration with an address before the movie.
The film references some of the most intense moments of the Civil Rights movement, introducing young Americans to segregation, racism, bus boycotts and protests, and King’s assassination. The 1999 film, released on King’s 70th birthday, was nominated for an Emmy.
Anna Nikolas, signature-events director for Sandy Springs, said her staff is encouraged by the event’s growth over the years.
Since its incorporation in 2005, the city has sponsored a community MLK-themed event each year, shifting from a day of community service to an educational event.
Next year, Nikolas said her staff will offer new activities at the popular holiday celebration, keeping the focus on MLK, while giving longtime attendees something new.