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Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Loveland Celebrate Martin Luther King Birthday Jan. 20

Thursday, January 9, 1997

FORT COLLINS--Colorado State University, Fort Collins and Loveland will join to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday Jan. 20 with performances, speakers and a re-enactment of the 1963 Civil Rights March in Washington, D.C.

The celebration, called "A Dream for All Generations," begins at 1 p.m. at Colorado State University's Oval. The program includes a welcome, music from the Broken Heart Singers and a presentation of winning entries from Poudre School District's writing and art contest for fifth- through ninth-graders. A one- mile march from campus to Old Town Fort Collins will follow.

The march will be led by Fort Collins Mayor Ann Azari, Colorado State President Albert Yates, Poudre School District Superintendent Don Unger and Front Range Community College President Eric Reno.

In Old Town, the Harris Bilingual Elementary School and Voices in Unity choirs will perform and lead participants in songs. Participants then can listen to recorded portions from King's original "I Have a Dream" speech.

As part of the celebration, the Fort Collins Main Library, 201 Peterson St., will host puppet shows based on folktales from Africa, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Vietnam and the Caribbean. Children of all ages are invited to come for a 30-minute program at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Events will conclude at 7 p.m. at the Loveland High School auditorium in Loveland with award-winning storyteller, Opalanga. Opalanga will present It Takes a Village for All Generations, a series of stories covering the life and ideals of Dr. King. She will be accompanied by the drummer Santemu, and will present the program in conjunction with the Mary Constantine-Nelson Dancers, a Loveland dance troupe.

"We are especially pleased to join with Loveland and pay tribute to Dr. King's dream for all generations and communities," said Mims Harris, director of Colorado State's Campus Activities. "This is a chance to reflect on our dreams for the country, as well as ourselves."

All events are free and open to the public, and are co- sponsored by Colorado State, Fort Collins' Human Rights Office and Public Library, the city of Loveland, Poudre School District, the Fort Collins Downtown Business Association and the Fort Collins and Loveland Martin Luther King Day Planning Committees.

Free parking is available at Colorado State in any A, X or Z lot on campus. Transfort buses will be available to transport marchers from Old Town back to the Oval after the event concludes. In the event of severe weather, the march may be canceled. Check local radio stations Jan. 20 for updates.

For further information, call Mims Harris at (970) 491-0961.

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