MLK Day Celebrations Bring Marches, Music, and Community Together Across Central Jersey
Rahway residents gathered for a march and park ceremony Monday as neighboring communities marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day with events honoring service, unity, and civic engagement
MLK Day marchers bundled in the cold pass through the Rahway Train Station on the way to MLK Park on Monday, January 19, 2026. (The Central Jerseyan)
Chris Howell │ January 19, 2026
Communities across Central Jersey marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday with events centered on reflection, service, and togetherness, as residents gathered outdoors in the cold and inside packed halls to honor Dr. King’s legacy and its relevance today.
In Rahway, the day began with a celebration service, followed by a community march that moved through the city toward MLK Park near the train station.
Marchers, bundled against the cold, walked together as a visible show of unity before transitioning to a wreath-laying ceremony at the park, where city officials reflected on Dr. King’s message of collective action.
Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe told attendees that Dr. King’s lasting impact came from his belief in shared responsibility.
“Dr. King was a uniter,” Giacobbe said. “He believed that not one person can accomplish anything on their own, but that a group of individuals is a movement — and a powerful movement.”
The mayor also noted recent investments made to upgrade MLK Park, describing the space as a living tribute meant to be revisited and used by the community beyond ceremonial moments.
Following the wreath laying, the community observed a moment of prayer, pausing to reflect on Dr. King’s life and the broader meaning of the holiday.
Giacobbe said the gathering itself reflected shared civic values.
“Everyone here today is here because of a commitment to justice, a commitment to equality, and a commitment to one another,” he said.
The park program concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the recent renovations, followed by a free community brunch.
Swipe to see more of the day's events in Rahway
Later in the day, residents gathered in Woodbridge for the township’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day interfaith service, which brought together faith leaders, elected officials, and community members to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy through the lenses of service, democracy, and everyday action.
Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac opened the program by reminding attendees that Dr. King’s teachings extend beyond laws and policies.
“Dr. King reminded us that the rights we value must be protected not only by the laws of the land, but upheld by all of us in our hearts and in our spirit,” McCormac said.
New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin echoed that message, urging residents to view the holiday as a call to action rather than a day of rest.
“Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not a day off — it’s a day on,” Coughlin said.
The Woodbridge High School Choir, directed by Lisa Romero, performs during the township’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day interfaith memorial service. (Woodbridge Television)
Congressman Frank Pallone also emphasized the importance of civic participation and public presence.
“Being here tonight matters because showing up is how we show that Dr. King’s legacy still has to be fulfilled,” Pallone said.
Glenn Morgan, chairman of the Woodbridge Human Rights Commission, used his remarks to highlight the practicality of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the local level, urging residents to look beyond political rhetoric and consider how those principles operate in everyday community life.
He framed the conversation around concrete township policies and services rather than abstract ideals, emphasizing that equity is about recognizing differing needs and ensuring residents can fully participate in civic life. He encouraged attendees to view inclusion as a shared civic responsibility.
Glenn Morgan, chairman of the Woodbridge Human Rights Commission, delivers remarks during the township’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day interfaith memorial service. (Woodbridge Television)
The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Rev. Neva Lawson of the First Baptist Church of Woodbridge, who focused on the power of individual action and the often-unrecognized contributors to social progress.
“One person can make a difference,” Lawson said. “Small acts, done day to day, can have a lasting impact.”
Lawson reminded the audience that many of the most significant advances in civil rights were driven by ordinary people working quietly and persistently.
“Their success would have been impossible without thousands of individuals working behind the scenes — hidden figures whose names were never known,” he said.
As communities across Central Jersey marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the events in Rahway and Woodbridge underscored a shared theme: honoring Dr. King’s legacy not only through remembrance but through participation, service, and daily choices that strengthen civic life.
The Metuchen YMCA held a day of service to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event included a reading library and a station to write letters to seniors and veterans. Scroll to see details of the event.
