The City of Hogansville will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on the eve of MLK Day 

Beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at Hogansville Elementary School the city will come together to celebrate the history that MLK created and achieved through his activism. 

“This is the sixth year the city has sponsored the event, and George [Bailey] has been instrumental in putting it together every year,” said Interim City Manager Lisa Kelly. 

Each year the celebration includes a keynote speaker, which is former councilman Bailey for the 2020 celebration. 

“They will have three church choirs come in and perform, along with dance groups,” Kelly said. 

Three Hogansville locals will be recognized for their community efforts and involvement within the City of Hogansville and beyond. 

Dr. Charlene Brown, Oberien Geter and Ricky Thrash will be announced at the celebration and presented with an award.  

“It is always a huge success with a couple hundred people attending,” Kelly said. 

Kelly said that the celebration has been a major community event in Hogansville for the past six years, that attracts the entire city to come.  

“I think it is hugely important to remember legacy of Dr. king and what his vision was for everyone,” Kelly said. “Part of that is recognizing these community leaders that have stood out for so many years.”

The celebration got started six years ago when Hogansville Mayor Bill Stankiewicz was elected into office and asked councilman Bailey to start it. 

“There was no reason why Hogansville [shouldn’t] have a MLK celebration,” Stankiewicz said. 

“From then on we have had one. It is important because it recognizes the diversity in our community, and it recognizes an American who did great things for us. It’s only fitting we celebrate his life on his birthday.”