The “Dream is Alive” Saturday as a large crowd is expected tocome out for the dedication of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Drive.

Activities are scheduled throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 9p.m.

“We’ve never done anything like this before,” said Polly Byrd,coordinator for the event. “We’re expecting a huge crowd.”

A parade will kick off events at 10 a.m. at the post office. Theroute will go along Cherokee Street to Whitworth Avenue toMonticello Street to King Drive and to the Dr. A.L. Lott SportsComplex.

“We want everybody participating to be there at 9:30 a.m. forthe parade to start at 10,” parade organizer Barbara Smithsaid.

Smith and fellow organizer Beverly Butler were expecting morethan 60 units to participate in the parade, including floats, cars,motorcycles and others.

“Whatever they want to do,” Smith said.

Smith said there is a $10 entry fee for the parade. In a paradecontest, first prize will be $100, second $50 and third $25.

Byrd said local ministers will serve as parade grandmarshals.

A dedication service and awards ceremony, recognizing variousachievements, are scheduled for noon at the complex. Invited guestsfor the event include Brookhaven Mayor Bob Massengill and aldermen;Hazlehurst Councilman Andre Shannon; and Jackson Councilmen KennethStokes and Charles Tillman, the older brother of BrookhavenAssistant School Superintendent James Tillman.

“The group putting this event together is to be commended forthe special dedication ceremony …,” Massengill said. “The boardand I hope there will be excellent communitywide participation inthese events.”

Around 1 p.m., the first of several music concerts begins withgospel music performances at the complex. At 3 p.m. will be soulmusic followed by rap at 5 p.m.

At 7 p.m. will be a “Night at the Apollo” featuring Solid Gold’sLee King. Activities are scheduled to conclude around 9 p.m.

Activities were scheduled for the corner of King Drive andMonticello. Instead, they will be at the complex.

“We had to move it because of the weather,” said Byrd, citing aninability to get the area fully prepared and concerns aboutpossible rain Saturday.

Also around the complex during the day will be vendors offeringdrinks, food and other items, said organizers Helen DeShields andEthel Richardson. More than 10 vendor booths will be located nearthe complex’s concession area.

Byrd said the Teen Talk group, including several around14-to-17-year-old students, will be present to cover the event forlocal television. Sta-Home Health Care officials will be offeringblood pressure and sugar checks, Byrd said, and the Brookhaven FireDepartment and King’s Daughters Medical Center representatives arealso expected to be on hand.

In March, aldermen voted to rename Hamilton Street and a sectionof Spruce Street in honor of King. New street signs were installedin June.

Byrd said she appreciated the community, Massengill, PoliceChief Pap Henderson and other supporters for their assistance inthe event.