The frigid temperatures across the state didn’t deter people from venturing out into the community to celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. The MSR attended a few of these events. See photo highlights below.
The State of Minnesota held its 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at The Ordway Theater in St. Paul. Over 2,000 people were in attendance for the event including Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan.
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church choir members perform during the State of Minnesota’s 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at The Ordway Theater. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church choir members perform during the State of Minnesota’s 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
The Robbinsdale Area Schools FAIR School-Crystal Student Choir perform. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
The State of Minnesota held it’s 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at The Ordway Theater. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Governor Tim Walz ant Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan at the event. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Pro-Palestinian protesters screamed from the balcony at the State of Minnesota’s held 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
A pro-Palestinian protester Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
(l-r) Dr. Stephanie Burrage and Houston White Jr. were part of a fireside chat on stage at the State’s MLK event Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
The State of Minnesota held it’s 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at The Ordway Theater. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
The State of Minnesota held it’s 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at The Ordway Theater. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
The State of Minnesota held it’s 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at The Ordway Theater. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
The Robbinsdale Area Schools FAIR School-Crystal Studen Choir perform. As the State of Minnesota held it’s 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at The Ordway Theater. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn
Shortly after Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan arrived, pro-Palestinian protesters shouted from the second-floor balcony, criticizing the governor for sending U.S. tax dollars to support Israel. The event resumed as planned shortly after the protest.
In Minneapolis, the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA), in collaboration with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) held its 26th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the Powderhorn Park Recreation Center.
Attendees at the Powderhorn event Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Attendees at the Powderhorn event Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Attendees at the Powderhorn event Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Zhané Jackson a.k.a Ruby Red performs at the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association’s MLK event. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Lane Brown of CANDO speaks to attendees Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Ray Curt plays an instrument during the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association’s MLK event. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Attendees at the MLK event held at the Powderhorn Park Recreation Center in Minneapolis. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn
Around 500 people showed up to the event, which featured esteemed theater veteran Greta Oglesby, dancer and choreographer Zhané Jackson, and Lane Brown as the special guests. The event was family-friendly and interactive.
Also in Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) held its Annual King Holiday Celebration at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rec Center. The event was on a much smaller scale than some of the other events, with around 100 people in attendance.
Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr., the DJ and operations manager at KMOJ FM speaks to attendees. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Chad Jackson of the MN Twins served as emcee. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
The band NUNNABOVE performed at the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Boards Annual King Holiday Celebration at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rec Center. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Dr. Verna Cornelia Price, the co-founder of The Power of People Leadership Institute was the keynote speaker at the event. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Dr. Verna Cornelia Price, the co-founder of The Power of People Leadership Institute. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Rep. Ilhan Omar sits with attendees at the event Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Attendees at the MPRB event. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn 
Attendees at the MPRB event. Credit: Photo by Chris Juhn
Chad Jackson hosted the event, featuring Dr. Verna Cornelia Price as the keynote speaker and a performance by the band NUNNABOVE. Long-time KMOJ DJ and operations manager Walter “Q Bear” Banks, was honored with this year’s Living the Dream Award.