King Day

Join us on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The celebration begins at 11 a.m. in Dinosaur Hall. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Mark McCloud, Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement at the University of Tennessee at Martin, will share his perspective on building inclusive communities and carrying forward Dr. King’s dream in today’s world. The Discovery Park Community Choir, a newly formed group of singers and musicians from throughout our region, will fill the space with a moving performance celebrating hope, equality and peace. After the program, families can participate in hands-on activities inspired by Dr. King’s most memorable quotes and take part in a special educational session exploring Dr. King’s relationships with other key civil rights leaders of the mid-20th century. As the only federal holiday dedicated to national service, MLK Day invites us all to give back. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., local community service and volunteer organizations will be on-site to help guests discover meaningful ways to get involved and make a difference. Visitors are also encouraged to bring canned goods to support local food banks. Free admission to the 2026 King Day celebration is available for all. As part of the 2026 King Day celebration, Discovery Park will host a Student Essay Competition open to students at Obion County Central, Union City and South Fulton, as well as homeschoolers in grades 9 to 12. The top three essays will be announced during the program, with prizes awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners. The submission deadline is Jan. 15, 2026. For full guidelines and entry details, contact the Education Department at education@discoveryparkofamerica.com. Schedule of Activities: 11 a.m. to noon | Dinosaur Hall Opening remarks by Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams Musical selections performed throughout the program by the Discovery Park Community Choir Announcement of Student Essay Competition results Introduction of the keynote speaker by Discovery Park Board Member and UT-Martin First Lady, Rafielle Freeman Keynote address by Dr. Mark McCloud, Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement at the University of Tennessee at Martin 12–2 p.m. | Dinosaur Hall Civil Rights Activities for Young Learners These hands-on activities are inspired by three of Dr. King’s famous quotes, encouraging creativity, reflection and learning through art and storytelling. 1 p.m. | The Tennessee Room “Contemporaries of King” Discover key civil rights figures of the mid-20th century—such as Fred Hampton, James Baldwin and Malcolm X. Explore how their ideas intersected with, were inspired by or challenged those of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This lesson highlighting the diversity of voices that shaped the movement for justice and equality will be taught by Michael Larkin, Discovery Park’s director of education.