Nashville MLK Holiday Weekend Closures and Marches

NASHVILLE, TN - Whether you want to participate in a ceremonial march, attend a candlelight vigil or simply be aware of which stores and government buildings will be closed, Patch has you covered. Patch put together a guide for making the most of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend in Nashville.

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Nashville MLK Day is separated into three parts: a morning youth program, a march and a convocation. The morning youth program gives younger Nashvillians the opportunity to gather and discuss the teachings of Dr. King. The program will begin at Jefferson Baptist Church, which is located at 2708 Jefferson St. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. The march is a nonviolent walk through downtown Nashville which will be lead by the Grand Marshal from the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship. The convocation will be held at TSU Grand Centry, which is located at 3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard and will begin at 11 a.m. It will feature key note speakers who will talk about the theme for the day: There is Power in Progress.

March details:

• Where does it begin? The intersection of 28th & Jefferson Street
• When does it start? 10 a.m.
• What is the route? The 'King Day' march will cut through downtown Nashville and utilize neighborhood side roads when possible - the town of Nashville has decided not to close any main streets for the holiday.
• Where will it end? The procession will end at TSU Grand Complex where the convocation honoring Dr. King will commence at 11 a.m.

5K 4 MLK Run and Walk puts the 'active' in activism. This annual 5K is intended to allow people of different socio-economic backgrounds, races and religions to unite in a run of remembrance for one of America's greatest civil rights leaders. The race will begin at 8 a.m. with a special key-note speaker at 7:30 a.m. You can register online for the 5K 4 MLK Run and Walk.

• Where: 600 Woodland St. Nashville, TN 37206
• When: January 16, 6:30 a.m.
• Cost: $30

Spoken Word Video Contest will be held by the Interdenominational Ministries Fellowship. The theme is 'Power in Progress,' and a winner will be chosen on the following criteria: Most Creative, Most Likes and Judges Choice. Submissions will be accepted from students aged 14 - 22 and video entries can be no longer than 3 minutes.

• Where: 1102 10th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208
• When: January 14, 11 a.m.
• Cost: Free

Candlelight Vigil is a memorial walk held at Belmont university, but is open to the general public. Join Belmont students, staff and faculty in a candlelit procession of remembrance across Belmont's campus. Learn about the different parts of the Civil Rights movement that MLK affected through a presentation prepared by the Belmont Arts and Sciences board.

• Where: Maddox Grand Atrium, Nashville, TN 37212
• When: January 16, 7 p.m.
• Cost: Free

What Will Be Closed:

• Regions Bank
• Tennessee State Offices
• Nashville State Community College
• Public Libraries
• Nashville Town Offices
• Tennessee State University
• Gilda's Club Nashville
• The University of Tennessee
• Tennessee Credit Union
• Nashville Post Office

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