The City of Mesquite will honor the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with its annual parade and celebration on Saturday, Jan. 18.

Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with a parade through downtown Mesquite, featuring Dr. Ángel Rivera, Superintendent of Mesquite ISD, as the Grand Marshal. Participation in the parade is open to any business, community group or youth organization for a $40 fee.

The celebration continues at 1 p.m. with a community gathering co-hosted by Mesquite ISD, the City of Mesquite and the Mesquite NAACP at the Mesquite Arts Center, 1527 N. Galloway Ave. This part of the event will feature Mesquite ISD choir presentations, speeches by students, a special dance performance and a keynote address by Dr. Valerie Nelson with Mesquite ISD.

For more details, submit parade entry forms and view the parade route, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/MLK.