The day honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. did not go unnoticed or uncelebrated in Asheville. The Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Asheville & Buncombe County hosted well-attended events on Monday, as well as the MLK Prayer Breakfast that drew more than 1,500 people on Saturday at the Grove Park Inn, in Asheville.

The theme for this year’s 32nd annual celebration was “Marching Toward Justice.” Monday saw an enthusiastic and powerful opening service at Saint James AME Church, followed by the peaceful marching of hundreds from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to a rally at downtown Asheville’s City-County Plaza. Monday night, Nazareth First Baptist Church hosted a candlelight service and the presentation of the 2013 Martin Luther King Jr. Awards.

Throughout the events, speakers sought to impress King’s teachings in attendees’ minds, and many speakers urged everyone to get out in our community and make a positive change.

Here is a photo essay from the day, showing the many people — children and adults — who sought out to celebrate King’s legacy in prayer, speeches, dance and quiet moments, too.

[galobj viewid=71]