Each year the City of Tacoma hosts one of the best and most orchestrated MLK Day celebrations in the region, gathering for words, music and inspiration at the Tacoma Dome Events Center and coming together as a community to honor and trumpet Dr. King's life and vision for peace and equality.

This year marks the 23rd annual MLK celebration in Tacoma, with Monday's festivities - carrying a theme of "Forgiving the Past ~ Embracing the Future" - featring a keynote address from Ester Nicholson along with what's billed as, "a musical tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

As usual, Tacoma's MLK Day celebration will be telecast live on TV Tacoma.

Community members are encouraged to bring a non-perishable donation for the annual MLK Food Drive - with the food gathered going to the Emergency Food Network.

[Tacoma Dome Events Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2727 E. D St., Tacoma, 253.591.5151]