Getting an early peek at the MLK Memorial

District of Columbia residents and anyone else who wants to will have a chance to visit the new Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in Washington before it is officially dedicated later this month.

The Washington Post reports that D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray said earlier this week that officials had an overwhelming demand for tickets for a preview day for city residents.

As a result, residents won't be the only ones who get to sneak a peek at the memorial on Tuesday, Aug. 23: Gray says no tickets will be needed and that anyone who comes to the memorial site that day between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. will be allowed to see it.

Earlier this month, a group of Tuskegee Airmen and their families got the chance to tour the memorial site.

The official dedication of the memorial for the late civil rights leader is on Sunday, Aug. 28 on the National Mall. President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak; Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Maya Angelou and many more are also expected to participate in the dedication ceremony