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By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@theCitizenNews.com

Monday is a holiday, so traffic in downtown Fayetteville is expected to be much lighter than usual for Fayette County’s first-ever Martin Luther King Day parade, sponsored by the local branch chapter of the NAACP.

Though King was born Jan. 15, the day set aside this year to honor his life and legacy is Jan. 17.

All Fayette County school students and personnel will have the day off, including workers at the Board of Education. County government offices will also be closed, as will the city halls in Peachtree City, Fayetteville and Tyrone. Essential public safety personnel will remain on duty in all jurisdictions, however.

There will be no mail delivery or garbage pickups, and most all banks and credit unions will be closed. But stores and restaurants will remain open.

The parade steps off from Fayette County High at 10 a.m. and will follow the city’s designated "parade route” around the block bounded by LaFayette Avenue, Glynn Street, Lanier Avenue and Tiger Trail. It will be immediately followed by a convocation service at F.A. Sams Auditorium.

This is the first year the MLK Day has been designated an official paid holiday on the City of Fayetteville calendar, said City Manager Joe Morton. It is one of 10 paid holidays city workers will enjoy, including Good Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.

Previously, Fayetteville gave workers a "floating” holiday each year to use as they wished, Morton said. Though many chose to take MLK Day, some offices remained open at City Hall. That’s been done away with, Morton said.

Monday’s parade has all the necessary applications and permits on file, and was approved by the City Council, Morton said.

"Our folks will be available as needed to help with traffic and crowds,” Morton said.