INDIANAPOLIS (MIRROR INDY) — In December 1958, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to a crowd of 4,000 in Indianapolis. An Indianapolis Recorder story pointed out that it was three months after he was stabbed at a book signing in New York, but he traveled to Indianapolis alone. At the Cadle Tabernacle, which was demolished in the late 1960s, he preached nonviolence: “Use love. Love is a sure winner. Remember that as Christians, we are workers with God.” A decade later, on April 4, 1968, U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was scheduled to speak at a park on 17th and Broadway streets in Indianapolis when he learned that King had been assassinated in Memphis. He told the crowd, somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 people, the news. He encouraged them to honor King’s legacy. “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be Black.” Riots broke out in dozens of cities, but not in Indianapolis. That line from Kennedy’s speech would be inscribed on his tombstone after he was assassinated months later. The park is named Kennedy King Park now, and a statue of the two leaders reaching their hands toward each other, called “Landmark for Peace,” was dedicated in 1995. This year, celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by learning from him, serving your neighbors and reflecting. Here are 13 ways to spend MLK Day in Indianapolis. Worship, make a vision board and enjoy a free lunch 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 15 Phillips Temple C.M.E. Church, 210 E. 34th St. Free Five churches will come together Jan. 15 for a family-friendly celebration of Martin Luther King. Jr. Day. The event starts at 10 a.m. with four workshop options: “Six Principles of Non-Violence,” “Positive Promotions,” “Expression of Individual Dreams” and making vision boards based on King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Worship starts at 11 and lunch starts at noon. Watch a wreath-laying ceremony on Monument Circle 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 Soldiers and Sailors Monument, 1 Monument Circle The Indiana Civil Rights Commission will host a wreath-laying ceremony and light show at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument downtown. On Friday, there will be an award ceremony at noon at the Indiana Statehouse. The celebration will be live-streamed to the public. Enjoy music, dance and spoken word at Newfields 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road Free admission Listen to music from Deckademics, watch a performance from iibada Dance Company and hear Bruce Ford’s spoken word in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Admission is free at Newfields on Jan. 19, but you can reserve tickets. You know “I have a dream.” Learn about Martin Luther King Jr.’s other speeches. 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 Virtual Free admission Once a month, IU Indianapolis hosts conversations to talk about race. For January, there’s one gathering: “Beyond the Dream.” The group will do breakout sessions to talk about the speeches and writings that aren’t as well-known as Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech. Register online. Use the day off from school to help your neighbors 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave. Free, with online registration Kids ages 2-12 can serve the community at Seeds of Caring’s MLK Day of Youth Service in partnership with Madam Walker Legacy Center. Kids will make cleaning kits for recently housed neighbors, pack breakfast kits for kids experiencing food insecurity, make sun catchers for seniors and design posters. Explore exhibits at the Eiteljorg Museum 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St. Free admission Explore the art exhibits – including the holiday-themed Jingle Rails – at Eiteljorg Museum all day for free, and check out art-making stations and a community drum circle. Watch Dr. King’s speeches at the Indiana Historical Society 11 a.m. to 3 p.m Monday, Jan. 20 Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St. Free admission Design a shopping bag for Charity Cares Clothing Closet, help paint a mural or listen to Dr. King’s speeches in Indiana Historical Society’s theater. IHS is also accepting donations of money, socks and underwear for the Charity Cares Clothing Closet. Tickets are free, but IHS recommends reserving them in advance. Write your own speech at the Indiana State Museum 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. Free admission Contribute to a mural, watch videos of Dr. King’s speeches and try to write your own speeches. Admissions is free, and there’s free parking at the White River State Park garage on Washington Street on a first-come, first-served basis. Take an art class and watch a drum circle at the Children’s Museum 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St. Free admission Learn to make a masterpiece with artist Rebecca Robinson, watch the Griot Drum Circle perform, and hear stories based on Dr. King’s quotes. Plus: Help decorate birthday cards that will be included with birthday cake supplies and given to the Mid-North Food Pantry. Special activities run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you’re not a member of the museum, reserve your free tickets now. Go to the Indianapolis Zoo. (And donate to Gleaner’s.) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St. Free admission Like other cultural centers within the White River State Park, admission to the Indianapolis Zoo is free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They’re also accepting donations to Gleaner’s Food Bank, online or in-person. Hike Eagle Creek State Park and take an MLK quiz January 12-26 Eagle Creek Park’s Earth Discovery Center, 5901 Delong Road $6 admission per car for Marion County residents or $7 for non-residents. Pick up a quiz at Earth Discovery Center and learn about Martin Luther King Jr. while you take a half-mile walk. The Earth Discovery Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Quizzes are available outside the Earth Discovery Center when the building is closed. Lace up your skates at the Fun Factory 12 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 Fun Factory, 175 Southern Plaza Drive $12 Bring your friends and family to Fun Factory, formerly Wheels of Wonder, for the M.L.K. Jr. Skate. A $12 ticket includes skate rentals, all-you-can-eat pizza, a soft drink and a $2 game card. Parents and guardians get in free, but they can add an adult ticket for the all-you-can-eat pizza for $6.75. Ice skate at Bicentennial Unity Plaza 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 Bicentennial Unity Plaza, 117 S. Pennsylvania St. Free admission. Elevance Health Ice Rink is open downtown until Jan. 26. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, skate rentals, parking in the Virginia Avenue Garage, hot chocolate and pizza are free. Local DJs will play live music, and you can bring your family to check out educational activities about Martin Luther King Jr. Book a skate time in advance online. Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at [email protected].