San Antonio’s in-person march and rally commemorating the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is going virtual due to public health concerns, but city officials said there are ways for residents to celebrate the civil rights leader's legacy.

The San Antonio MLK Commission on Jan. 7 announced the cancelation of the in-person march that was set for Jan. 17, citing the current surge in COVID-19 cases.

San Antonio’s annual MLK march is cited by local officials as the biggest event of its kind in the nation, with more than 300,000 participants.

Like in 2021, the city will again hold a virtual march on its website, www.sanantonio.gov, with presentations airing starting Jan. 17.

According to the city’s MLK Commission, individuals and organizations who planned to be part of this year’s march may send photos, documents, recordings and other artifacts to the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum. Email [email protected] or call 210-724-3350, Option 1, for more information.

In addition to the march, the post-march rally that was planned at Pittman-Sullivan Park was canceled.

But local officials said in keeping with the spirit of MLK’s legacy of public service, the city’s Metropolitan Health District will host a COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinic 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 17 at Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa St.

Additionally, the city’s department of arts and culture recently debuted “Spheres of Reflection,” a new public art project in the at Martin Luther King Park, 3503 MLK Drive.

The 13-foot-sculpture, which rests on a 4-foot-tall foundation, was created by local artist Kaldric Dow and celebrates African American culture, a press release said.

"To me, this sculpture represents the essence of what African American culture is,” Dow said.

“It was important to me to use my portrait artistic style to create a piece that people can identify with and see themselves represented. The spheres create a reflection in honor of Dr. King’s messages of self-reflection, so that viewers are encouraged to look within to consider what the words incorporated in the sculpture mean to them.”

Elsewhere, DreamWeek, a series of in-person and virtual events recognizing King’s work and teachings, is happening with scheduled daily activities. Visit https://dreamweek.org for more information.