BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A beloved community tradition honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will return to Bloomington-Normal this winter. A collection of events, including the 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Fellowship Dinner and Gospel Festival on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Hansen Student Center, will commemorate King’s legacy and visits to IWU’s campus in 1961 and 1966.
Founded in 1991 by the late Corine Garrett Sims and her husband, Rev. James Sims, the festival has grown into a foundational celebration of the civil rights leader for Central Illinois. The Sims family also founded the United Community Gospel Singers of Bloomington-Normal, now led by daughter Barbara Sims-Malone, which continues to co-organize the event alongside Illinois Wesleyan University.
The evening will begin with the National Holiday Fellowship Dinner from 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., followed by the Gospel Festival featuring music, dance and performing arts that reflect King’s persistent message of unity and justice. Admission to the Gospel Festival is free with free parking available. Ticket prices for the dinner are $15 for students and senior citizens, $30 for adults, and $10 for children 12 and under.
According to E.K. Franks, executive director of organizational engagement at IWU, the longevity of the event speaks volumes about its impact.
“For a festival to live this long is a testament to the support of the community, the dedication of Illinois Wesleyan University and United Community Gospel Singers, and how all involved in the success of the festival show the importance and relevance of this holiday in the hearts and minds of all,” Franks said. “Festivals such as this will continue to be a foundation of bridging understanding and connections to groups and people in the future.”
“This festival has evolved to be a light in the community to all during this time of the year, celebrating Dr. King’s Holiday through music, dance, performing arts, great food, and contemporary expression,” Franks said.
He hopes attendees leave inspired by both the celebration and the call to action embedded in Dr. King’s teachings.
“We hope that guests will take away that the spirit and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lives on and his messages from 50 years ago are as relevant now as they were then,” Franks added. “Through music, performing arts, and inspirational messages, this festival brings together a patchwork of the community who share in experiences of love, unity, and empowerment—Dr. King’s dream of all people living in harmony in a world without racism and indifference.”
In addition to Sunday’s celebration, other events are planned during to honor King's legacy:
- On Monday, Jan. 19, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., a community volunteer event is planned to benefit the nonprofit Midwest Mission, sponsored by Illinois Wesleyan's Office of Multifaith Engagement.
- On Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. at the Hansen Student Center, IWU will host the
annual Martin Luther King Jr. Teach In on the music of the civil rights era , featuring
performances by School of Music ensembles.