Curtis Bushee took part in his first march Sunday and will have no memory of the event to tell his children. The 4-month-old was on hand at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne as more than 40 people braved the bitter cold and marched less than a mile from the center to the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation.
The group was not protesting, but rather celebrating. The march was the kick off of the two-day Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Reston.
"The march is just to keep the legacy of Dr. King alive," said organizer Rodney Scott. "Marches were a method that brought the community's attention to issues such as civil rights."
Reston has been holding the symbolic march since 1987 and over the years the celebration has grown into a two-day event.
"It's just a tradition. It's great opportunity for the community to get together and remember the words of Dr. King," said Doug Bushee, a Reston Association board member and Curtis' father.
Before the march, participants gathered at the center to watch videotapes of some of King's famous speeches on civil rights. Afterwards the walkers were treated to a concert featuring the MLK Jr. Christian Church "Voices of Inspiration" Choir at the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation.
A full day of activities took place Monday at South Lakes High School including guest speakers, Reston school awards, "Out of Africa" activities, community service awards and various performances from schools and choirs.
"My church walks with the march every year. I'm proud to and try to every time," said Lotus Lee, 14, of Reston, who was walking for the fourth year. "I think [King's] an amazing man who made a lot of contributions to the U.S. and to all people."