Five Things to Do on MLK Day

NEWPORT, RI— So, the annual MLK Scholarship Breakfast is sold out at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and enjoy the holiday.

Here are five suggestions.

1. On Aquidneck Island, the annual torch run steps off at 9 a.m. at Portsmouth's 1st Rhode Island Regiment Monument, the little park where Routes 24 and 114 converge. The route goes down West Main Road through Middletown to Thompson Middle School on Broadway.

2. Inside the Thompson Middle School, in Newport, a program of music and commentary starts at 9:30 a.m. Serenity Williams, a Gaudet Middle School student, will be one of the speakers.

3. At the Providence Children’s Museum, the whole family can watch the civil rights movement depicted in story and song. “M.L.K: Amazing Grace” is being performed at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and finally at 2:30 p.m. "Actors Rochel Coleman, Jackie Davis and Rafini portray civil rights activists Ralph Abernathy, Rosa Parks and more in this moving show," according to the press release.

4. Want more involvement? Museum-goers are also invited to wear 'red only' and 'green only' labels and "participate in a thought-provoking interactive exploration of the negative power of discrimination."

According to the museum, "educators will be on hand to talk to families following this provocative exercise and invite them to record their responses." There's also an exhibit of photographs and books.

5. In Bristol, the Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., is offering Martin Luther King Day Nature Activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winter Stories are at 11 a.m., and Animal Games are at 2 p.m.

Courtesy Photo Providence Children's Museum