Whether you observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on your own or via a community-wide celebration, with art or time of reflection, we have some ideas for how you can honor and recognize the holiday.

MLK Day Celebrations

Trailblazers: Honoring the Road to Civil Rights Exhibit
January 6 - February 22 
Artists' Reception on February 16
The Walkers' Gallery (at the San Marcos Activity Center) will be showcasing works representing people, events, or scenes that are significant to our past and ongoing journey to realizing civil rights in the United States. 

MLK Kid's Event
January 13 | 10:30am
Join the Dunbar Heritage Association for a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Discover new books, art, videos, and crafts, and create your own poster for the upcoming annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March, along with other fun crafts to learn and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is a family-friendly event. There will be lots to do for children ages pre-k through middle school! All craft materials and snacks will be provided. (Registration deadline is January 10!)

Reunion of Trailblazers
January 14 | 3pm
The San Marcos Public Library will be hosting a special reunion of civil rights Trailblazers who were honored 10 years ago on the eve of the dedication of the Crossroads Memorial. The original 73 Trailblazers were recognized for their contributions to Civil Rights in San Marcos, and the reunion will bring those remaining Trailblazers together to celebrate their contributions once again, and to look ahead.

Crossroads Rededication
January 15 | 9am  (UPDATE - Saturday, February 3 at 9am)
The City of San Marcos Arts Commission will rededicate the Crossroads Memorial on the tenth anniversary of its unveiling at the intersection of MLK and LBJ Drives.

MLK Walk & Celebration
January 15 | 9:30am. (UPDATE - Saturday, February 3 to follow after Rededication)
The Dunbar Heritage Association's MLK Walk & Celebration will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at the LBJ/MLK Crossroads Memorial at 9:30am. The walk will occur immediately after the ceremony and proceed through the Dunbar neighborhood. A brief program will take place at the Historic Hays County Courthouse after the walk and a reception at the Dunbar Recreation Center will follow. 

 

Visit the Crossroads Memorial and Diversity Mural

The LBJ MLK Crossroads Memorial celebrates and honors the historic efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Lyndon Baines Johnson in forging the most significant civil rights legislation since the Civil War. The monument is located at the crossroads of MLK Drive and LBJ Drive, the only American intersection bearing the names of both of these leaders.

While you're at the Crossroads Memorial, see the Diversity Mural on the Crossroads Building (110 E. MLK Drive). The mural was painted by local artist, Robert Jones and celebrates all of the cultures that make San Marcos an inclusive and welcoming community. 

As mentioned above, it's the tenth anniversary of the unveiling of the Crossroads Memorial and there will be a rededication ceremony at 9am on February 3. 

 

Learn About African American History at the Calaboose Museum

Letters, books, photographs, and antique artifacts cover all aspects of African American life in early Texas, as visitors chart a rarely-told history of heroism in the Calaboose African American History Museum. 

 

Take some time to reflect

We recommend taking some time to relax and reflect on the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the significant impact he had on the country. This is a great time to hit the trails, go for a leisurely walk, dip a paddle in the San Marcos River or just find a quiet place to sit for a while.