The new year of 2023 has just about arrived. Among all the things January brings will be the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16.

This year’s local parade — sponsored by the Brookhaven/Lincoln County NAACP Branch 5268 — will be Saturday, Jan. 14, beginning at 11 a.m.

Line up will be at 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot at South Railroad Avenue, behind the Log Cabin.

“We want to encourage everybody to be involved — black, white, no matter what creed or color,” said newly re-elected NAACP chapter president Rev. Rico Cain. This is Cain’s third two-year term as president.

Entry fee is $10 for every participating vehicle, whether car, truck, golf cart, ATV or motorcycle. Schools, churches and other organizations are encouraged to participate.

The parade’s Grand Marshal will be announced at a later date.

The parade route will proceed from the South Railroad Avenue parking lot left onto East Chickasaw Street, then turn left (north) onto First Street. The procession will then turn right onto East Monticello Street and travel to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, where it will turn south onto MLK and conclude at Dr. A. L. Lott Sports Complex.

“I want people to know, as the president of NAACP, I serve all people, no matter what creed or color,” Cain said. “If you have any inequality problems, I want to help you. We help all people who feel they have not been served right because of an inequality issue.”

To register, call Cain at 601-754-9637 or newly-elected second vice president Valerie Moore at 601-695-0556. Rev. Larry Jointer was also recently elected first vice-president of the local chapter.