Fort Collins Unites Hundreds for MLK Day Celebration

Hundreds of people across Fort Collins and Larimer County gathered at Colorado State University yesterday to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with music, creativity, and community action. The celebration proved that honoring civil rights history can be both educational and joyful.

The day kicked off at the Lory Student Center with energetic hip-hop performances by New Bloodline, a youth group from the Fort Collins Cultural Enrichment Center. Jada Holliday, assistant director of the Black/African American Cultural Center, followed with a powerful rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Local leaders from Fort Collins and Larimer County read a joint proclamation reflecting the community's unified commitment to Dr. King's vision. Rickey Frierson, CSU's assistant vice president for strategic student success initiatives, reminded attendees of King's timeless message during the opening ceremony.

"Our theme this year invites us to reflect on what it truly means to come together," Frierson said. "Dr. King reminded us that our lives are deeply interconnected."

This year brought fresh activities that engaged participants of all ages. New offerings included group music lessons with drums and singing, a literacy room hosted by Poudre Libraries exploring civil rights education, and a writing workshop called "The Power of Storytelling" that honored Dr. King's powerful written legacy.

A collaborative art mural became a celebration highlight, featuring the motto "We Still Dream," which will soon be displayed on campus. Returning favorites included a capoeira martial arts demonstration and a space for writing letters to local representatives.

The Ripple Effect

The celebration extended beyond the campus walls through a continued partnership with The Homeward Alliance. Throughout January, participants collected and sorted clothing donations for distribution to homeless community members, embodying King's legacy of putting others' needs first.

While organizers skipped the traditional community march this year due to past winter weather cancellations, they created a virtual one-mile walk tour. Participants who completed the walk by January 19 could enter a prize raffle hosted by CSU Athletics, keeping the spirit of movement alive.

The event's theme, "Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting Fort Collins," captured exactly what happened: people of all backgrounds coming together to honor the past while taking concrete action for the future.