The annual Martin Luther King Day parade for 2014 has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18, with other activities planned throughout the day and weekend.

Joe Watson, president of the local Alabama Democratic Conference, said plans are going well so far for this year’s activities.

“I have sent out fliers to various organizations and as of right now I only have five responses back,” Watson said. “I look to start getting more in this week. We will have a community band in the parade this year. We will start at noon and have the same route we always have and end up at Sportsman’s Park. We will have activities after the parade.”

The parade will line up behind Trustmark (formerly BankTrust) beginning at 11 a.m.

Participants will begin the parade at noon from the parking lot of the bank and travel east on Henderson Street to St. Joseph Avenue.

The parade will follow St. Joseph Avenue north to where Sowell Road veers to the right.

The parade will travel north on Sowell Road to Martin Luther King Drive turns to the right and will end on Martin Luther King Drive at Sportsman Park where they will disband.

“As far as the parade, everything is going pretty good,” Watson said. “There is no charge to be in the parade, but there is a $25 charge for anyone who wants to set up a booth and be a vendor at Sportsman’s Park after the parade.”

One main thing Watson said they are looking forward to having this year is the annual MLK program on Sunday.

“We will have Dr. Avery come speak,” Watson said. “He is a city council member up in Gadsden. He participated in the March on Washington when he was only 15 years old.”

For more information about the parade or any MLK activities, contact Watson at 251-809-5423.

The theme of the 2014 parade is “Don’t Forget the Dream.”

The MLK, Jr. Commemorative Service will be at 4 p.m. at Second St. Siloam Missionary Baptist Church in Brewton. Dr. Robert Avery will be the keynote speaker. The church is located at 209 East St. in Brewton.