NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
13 January 2004

EDUCATIONAL, HISTORICAL & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES MARK CITY’S OBSERVANCE OF KING HOLIDAY, BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that an expanded schedule of events and activities commemorating the anniversary of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Black History Month, will be offered by the city in coming weeks.

The series of mostly free events begins this weekend when the city hosts the 20th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Competition Awards Program. The Essay Competition was first begun by the Mayor in 1985, long before the great civil rights leader’s birthday was declared a national holiday, and encourages city youth to write about King’s goals and ideals, with the top three then picked for each grade group from seven through twelfth grades. More than 4,500 youth have participated in the competition and winners receive U.S. Savings Bonds, passes to midstate recreational attractions, discount coupons and other prizes.

This year’s awards program begins at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, in the atrium of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center, which Reed named in honor of Dr. King. It is the only headquarters of government in the world named for the civil rights minister.

Augmenting this year’s Essay Competition for the first time will be a special Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photography Exhibit in the City Government Center Atrium, which is being held in conjunction with Harrisburg City Council and the African American Museum of Harrisburg. The unique photographic tribute features more than 140 photos of King and his family, friends, and activities and will run until February 16. Students from the Harrisburg School District have developed a photographic timeline and will also have their works on display. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Friday, January 16, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the atrium. Both the photographic exhibit and the Essay Competition Awards programs are free and open to the public.

Also on the Mayor’s Black History Month schedule is the popular 5th Annual Mayor’s Black History Gala, this year slated for Friday, February 6, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers on Market Square. Tickets for the semi-formal event, this year featuring the musical entertainment of ‘Special Blendz’, are $50.00 with 10 person tables available for $500.00. Please call (717) 233.7403 to purchase tables or tickets for the event. Monies raised from the Gala help to support the popular Youth Performing Artists Showcase.

Mayor Reed said Black History Month activities continue at The National Civil War Museum in Reservoir Park on Saturday, February 21, with historical presentations based upon the history of Harrisburg’s schools. Entitled “Recognizing Educators and the History of Harrisburg’s Public Schools”, the free presentation will include living history performances and demonstrations, along with pictorial exhibits and more. The program begins at Noon and admission to The National Civil War Museum is free for the day.

Reed said the series concludes on Wednesday, March 17, with the Sixth Annual Black History Youth Performing Artist Showcase—“Profiles of African American Excellence”, at the Forum Building. The Showcase, which is free and open to the ticketed public, features students in grades 5 through 12 from both Harrisburg and the surrounding region performing in a wide array of artistic endeavors. The popular showcase is performed twice during the day, with a special morning performance reserved solely for city school students and senior citizens. The evening encore presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. and entrants must have a free, advance-issued ticket to gain admission.

Reed also noted that two Black History Month art shows will also be held, with the 14th Annual Hamilton Elementary School Art Exhibition in the Atrium of City Government Center from February 1st to 29th, and the Twelfth Annual Black History Month Art Exhibition at the Reservoir Park Mansion from February 4th to March 31st.

“Black History Month presents an important opportunity for us to reflect upon the many contributions of citizens of African descent to our civilization’s history,” said the Mayor. “This legacy extends into every community, through each century, and is a fundamental part of who we are as a nation today. Through this expanded series of events and activities, we hope to foster greater understanding and appreciation by all citizens for the extraordinary and unique contributions of African Americans to our society as a whole.”

For more information on the City of Harrisburg’s Black History Month observances please call the Parks and Recreation Department at (717) 255.3020, or (717) 233.7403, or visit the city’s online special events schedule at www.harrisburgevents.com.

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