Hundreds attend Jacksonville’s 42nd Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade

The parade honored King’s life, legacy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s 42nd parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held on Monday. The event celebrated King’s life and message of equality, opportunity and service to others.

People from all walks of life attended the parade in Downtown Jacksonville.

The parade — which will begin at 10 a.m. — featured floats, local marching bands, dance troupes, marching bands and decorated vehicles representing businesses and organizations exhibiting a theme related to King’s message.

RELATED: Here’s what’s open, closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

One Jacksonville woman said she attends the parade as a way to pay tribute to Dr. King and all the civil rights leaders who fought for her freedom.

“I want to pay respects to the people that fought for our rights and everything and this is a way that I can honor Martin Luther King and those that followed him, so I feel like it’s my duty to make sure I am out here to support the cause,” Donella Lewism said.

The parade took a different route than last year.

“The parade starts at Water Street and Jefferson goes down Water street to Newnan street. Make a left on Newman and go to Bay Street,”

an organizer said. “Make a right on Bay Street and then it ends at the Shipyards.”

Did you miss the parade? Click here to watch the uncut video from the 2023 parade.

Here’s what you need to know for Jacksonville’s MLK Parade (News4JAX)

About the Authors

This native of the Big Apple joined the News4Jax team in July 2021.

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