DOWNTOWN — “The greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation” was unfurled on the steps of Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” address to hundreds of thousands of Americans seeking to share that vision of equality and civil rights for all. Almost 50 years later, Americans of all ethnicities and religions continue to come together to remind each other of the living movement King’s life embodied and helped lead. Events set in downtown and Balboa Park mark the celebrations during the weekend and week of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan 17. The Sheila R. Hardin San Diego Multicultural Festival starts things off along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade on Saturday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Harbor Drive from Fourth Avenue to Market Street. The event includes entertainment and children’s activities, according to a statement from the Centre City Development Corporation. The multicultural festival was renamed for a former community relations manager for CCDC, Sheila R. Hardin. Hardin was “a driving force behind the festival” and passed away in April 2010, according to the CCDC. On Jan. 17, World Beat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., will host several reggae and world music bands as well as have a small vendor market place “rain or shine” at the 21st annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration, said event organizer Jesse Graham. Graham said King’s fight for equality and justice not only for African Americans but everyone, continues today. Graham said he wants the message to reach youth and encourages youngsters to learn about history. It is important to celebrate and remember the leaders who have sacrificed for the liberties U.S citizens have today, he said. “A lot of times, the youth forget about that and we really bring them together and let them know about their history and all of our histories,” he said. While some will be celebrating with music and festivities, others will gather to remember the life and symbolism of King through the third annual inter-faith Day of Service on Jan. 17. On that day, community members will help clean up Morley Field in Balboa Park, said Holly Watt, First United Methodist Church of San Diego (FUMCSD) communications director . Volunteers with the FUMCSD, Congregations Beth Israel, Temple Emanu-El, Islamic Center of San Diego, Chinmaya Mission San Diego, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Hillel of San Diego will sponsor the event, help clear and haul brush, mulch and plant, according to a statement from FUMCSD. “It’s honestly an event that evokes the spirit of the vision of Martin Luther King Jr., which is to bring people together of all ethnicities and faiths and backgrounds and live in a community together, and this is a symbolic way of doing that,” Watt said. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves and a bag lunch for a picnic with new friends. Volunteers should also register for the park cleanup at www.fumcsd.org/KingDay, she said.