This weekend, the Town of Cary invites you to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — and to honor his legacy by helping those in need.

At the town’s annual Dreamfest, Jan. 18-20, a number of mostly free programs and events celebrate the life and work of the slain civil rights leader. New this year is a canned food drive benefiting Dorcas Ministries, which provides food and other emergency assistance to those facing hunger and homelessness.

As part of their focus on food security, the organizers of Dreamfest invite attendees to bring one nonperishable food item to each program they attend. Food will be collected at the Cary Arts Center, The Cary Theater, the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, and Good Hope Farm.

“I believe that innovative projects like Good Hope Farm are a compliment to the spirit of Dr. King’s work, because to launch and operate this project we united a variety of partners, resources, and missions to strengthen our community and build a more equitable and resilient future,” said Sarah Justice, Town of Cary Environmental Outreach Program Coordinator and project manager for Good Hope Farm. “After working for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations and local government for 20 years I have seen firsthand that the households facing hunger cannot freely contribute their gifts and talents back into our community.”

The weekend kicks off on Saturday morning with “Tellebration,” at the Page-Walker. Willa Brigham and Linda Gorman, two renowned African-American storytellers, will tell stories of celebration about King and his teachings.

Continue into the afternoon with a free show by Applause! Cary Youth Theatre as they present a staged reading of “Amazing Grace,” adapted from the book by Mary Hoffman. The cast will tell the story of a girl who learns and proves that she can do anything she sets her mind to – a wonderful lesson for all of us, no matter what age, race or gender.

On Monday, Good Hope Farm will present Service & The Dream: MLK Day of Service, where volunteers can help prepare the farm for spring planting. These efforts will support local startup farmers and promote urban agriculture in Cary. The day is divided into two shifts, 10 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m., and all volunteers must register to participate.

Other events throughout the weekend include:

• Mike Wiley presents “Breach of Peace,” at 7:30 p.m. Jan.18, at the Cary Arts Center. This play is based on accounts by those involved in the struggle for African-American equality.
• The Virtual MLK Experience, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Jan 19, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 600 Walnut St., is a digital recreation of Martin Luther King’s “Fill Up the Jails” speech given on Feb. 16, 1960, at Durham’s White Rock Baptist Church.
• An interfaith service, at 3:30 p.m. Jan 19, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, features guest speaker, Rev. Albert Starr, Chicago, and the N.C. State Uninhibited Praise Gospel Choir.
• “DAR HE: The Lynching of Emmett Till,” 3-5 p.m. Jan. 19, at The Cary Theater, is a dramatization of the historic interviews and events surrounding the murder of Emmett Till.

On August 28, 1963, King told the world he had a dream. Help carry out that dream January 18-20 with the Town of Cary. For more information, visit townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/events/holiday-events/dreamfest.