A Gospel Tribute and Mucisal Celebration opened the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in the Junction City community Sunday afternoon.

Emcee Daphne Maxwell told the audience at the C.L. Hoover Opera House as they celebrate they” give thanks through praise, worship and hearing of the word to a great and almighty God who reminds us that nothing is impossible to those who believe.  ”

Musical groups and choirs from different churches performed during the observance on Sunday.

The MLK celebration continues at 10 a.m. Monday at the Opera House with a “Tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers” with special recognition for MSG ( Ret. ) Nolan Self and 1SG ( Ret. ) Albert Curley. The keynote speaker for the observance is COL Andrew Cole, Garrison Commander at Fort Riley. There will be music presented by the Geary County Children’s Choir under the direction of Greg Gooden.

The theme for the 2016 MLK Celebration is “Making the Dream a Reality.”