LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- People around the Louisville area honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his national holiday Monday.

On the third Monday of January — close to King’s Jan. 15 birthday — federal, state and local governments, institutions and various industries recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For some, the holiday is just that — time off from work or school. But, King’s family and others carrying on his legacy of equality, justice and non-violent protest want Americans to remember that this holiday is really about helping others.

MLK rally and motorcade

Louisville's west end honored King with an annual motorcade and church service. 

The motorcade started Monday morning in the parking lot of Kroger at 28th Street and West Broadway. The motorcade went throughout the west end, passing by historical sites before ending at King Solomon Baptist Church.

Despite temperatures below 10 degrees Monday morning, the MLK Motorcade traveled around the city for the 53rd year. 

"I believe it shows the commitment that we have in the community, to what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for," said Bishop Dennis Lyons, an MLK Motorcade Coordinator. 

A city-wide church service followed the motorcade. Rev. Charles Elliott Jr., who worked with King on civil rights issues in Louisville, hosted the service. There was live music and various community leaders spoke. A lunch was served in the afternoon.

The 23rd MLK Week of Service is underway until Jan. 25. 

Ali Center honors Martin Luther King, Jr.

Muhammad Ali was a Louisville native, and Martin Luther King Jr. was a frequent visitor in the 1960s. In fact, the two even fought for fair housing in the city. 

The museum and cultural center in downtown Louisville offered free admission Monday. At the top of each hour, King's "I Have a Dream" speech was played. King gave his iconic speech in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. 

At noon, the Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students held a panel "Continuing the Dream, Continuing the Legacy."

The panel was designed to encourage discussion on King’s message of equality, justice and peace, as well as realizing his dream in today’s culture.

IU Southeast students volunteer in southern Indiana

Indiana University Southeast students volunteered around the community for the annual MLK Day of Service.

Students volunteered at St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities by sorting donations in the store. At St. Mark's United Christian Church, students cleaned the church's commercial kitchen and organized a pantry.

Students also volunteered at Culbertson Baptist Church and the Homeless Coalition of Southern Indiana. The volunteers cleaned and did laundry at the white flag shelter.

"It's a good opportunity to help out the community and I'm glad to be here," said IU Southeast freshman Tori McCormick.

Indiana University Southeast students volunteered around the community for the annual MLK Day of Service.

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