Indianapolis Area MLK Day 2019: Free Events, Special Offers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Head downtown to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with several special events and offers happening Sunday, Jan. 20 and Monday, Jan. 21. Martin Luther King Day falls on that Monday, so enjoy the day dedicated to the iconic civil rights leader with family and friends.

In a release sent to Patch, Downtown Indy, Inc. detailed plenty of MLK Day events and offers. Here they are, according to Downtown Indy, Inc.'s submission:

Sunday, Jan. 20

• Newfields: Speaking Love: Free admission with donation from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Spend the afternoon at Newfields remembering Dr. King's legacy as local artists speak love through poetry, music and dance. On this day, honor Dr. King by moving beyond your comfort zone to get to know someone new at Newfields.

Monday, Jan. 21 (MLK Day)

Free admission to Conner Prairie: Admission to Conner Prairie is Free on Jan. 21 as the museum invites visitors to celebrate the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. and the importance of peaceful protesting. The day's special events and activities include theatrical performances, family games, archaeology activities, art and more.

The Kennedy King Memorial Initiative (KKMI) MLK Day of Service Project: The event is open to adults and children and will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Kennedy King Park Center, located in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park at 601 E. 17th St., Indianapolis. Participants are asked to RSVP for the event by registering here.

Event description submitted to Patch by KKMI: In partnership with Indy Parks and the support of Indiana University Health, the KKMI invites the community to participate in this year’s MLK Day of Service by following his example and honoring his life through a time of reflection, conversation and service to others. Volunteers will help assemble Street Outreach Survival Kits on behalf of Horizon House that will be distributed to our most in-need neighbors. Video of the historic and renowned speech delivered by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in Indianapolis on April 4, 1968 on the night Dr. King was killed will also be played throughout the day and attendees will hear firsthand from Abie Robinson who witnessed the historic speech in the park that evening.

In addition to volunteering, community members are also invited to drop off essential items needed to assemble the Street Outreach Survival Kits. Donated items requested include: protein sources (canned tuna, canned chicken, Vienna sausage, peanut butter); granola bars; crackers; fruit cups; bottled water; socks; hats; scarfs; gloves; toothbrushes/toothpaste; and lip balm. Donations can be dropped off at the Kennedy King Park Center.

Landmark for Peace memorial sculpture: Features King and Robert Kennedy reaching out to each other and is located within Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park (17th & Broadway in Indianapolis) at the site where Kennedy made his historic speech on the night Dr. King was assassinated. It is free and open to the public daily from dusk to dawn

White River State Park: Receive free admission with a donation of one non-perishable food item per person, per attraction for Gleaner's Food Bank. The Park is also offering complimentary parking. Visitors may park in the underground garage located off Washington Street just west of West Street, in the surface parking lots at the Indianapolis Zoo and Victory Field and in the surface parking lot across from Victory Field next to the Park's Visitor's Center.

• Eiteljorg Museum: Enjoy the museum's holiday exhibit, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure, ###/em
• Indiana State Museum: Celebrate Dr. King's dream and explore the struggle for civil rights. See highlights from Dr. King's most iconic speeches, explore activities pertaining to civil and human rights, help create a "Dream" mural and reflect on what you can do to ensure the dream lives on.

>>IMAX Theatre: The IMAX Theater in the Indiana State Museum, in partnership with The MLK Center, will have a free screening of Selma at 7 p.m. Free tickets for the screening can be picked up at The MLK Center in the days before the actual screening, NOT at the IMAX. The 2014 Oscar-winning film depicts the first march led by Dr. King from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and the incredible obstacles that he and others overcame to achieve voting equality for future generations of African-Americans and minority groups. Additionally, five free screenings will be offered of Pandas: An IMAX Experience, a heartwarming global story about releasing captive-born back into the wild.

• Indianapolis Zoo: Walk the grounds and see animals, especially the ones that love the cooler temperatures. Favorite activities will include petting sharks, looking eye-to-eye with orangutans and gazing at dolphins.
• NCAA Hall of Champions: Experience all 24 NCAA sports through interactive exhibits including a 1930s replica gymnasium, sports simulators, trivia challenges and more. The second-floor media room will feature The Game of Change – the story of the 1963 Mississippi State team that snuck out of town in the middle of the night despite protests from the governor and state police of Mississippi to play a Loyola (Illinois) team that featured four black starters. As in years past, guests can also participate in a scavenger hunt and register for hourly raffle prizes for official NCAA merchandise.

>>Indianapolis Indians: Also, the Indians and Rowdie will be at the NCAA Hall of Champions. The Tribe will offer free ticket vouchers for Opening Night (scheduled for Thursday, April 11 at 7:05 p.m.) They'll also have information on the Knot Hole Kids Club and other Indians promos. Stop by from 11 a.m. to noon to visit with Rowdie.

• Indiana Historical Society: Free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21. Head to the History Center for performances, programs and service opportunities, as well as free admission to the award-winning Indiana Experience. Join the Madam Walker Legacy Center for festivities from 10 a.m. – noon. Participate in a dialogue regarding the Civil Rights Movement at 12:45 p.m. The theater will also be home to a special performance by the Griot Drum Ensemble at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. On this national day of service, learn about what causes homelessness and what you can do to help at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Guests can help with first aid kit packing, write a letter or make your own activism poster.
• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis: Free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21. At The Children's Museum enjoy activities, storytelling by Portia Jackson about courageous children from the Civil Rights Movement and performances by The Griot Drum Ensemble. Take this opportunity to visit all of the exhibits including American POP, Power of Children, Stories from Our Community, Playscape, Dinosphere and more.

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• Rhythm! Discovery Center: Free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21.

Hear a special performance at 2 p.m. by Clint Breeze and the Groove. Be introduced to the world of percussion. Journey through the Time Tunnel to see how cultures have made rhythm a part of their lives. Experience hands-on instruments including drum sets, cymbals and more.

View these events online at downtownindy.org./MLKday.

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