JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 45th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade steps off Monday, bringing hundreds of people downtown to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Local marching bands, dance troupes and floats will anchor this year’s procession, highlighting King’s message of unity and equality across the region.
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The parade begins at 11 a.m. from Lot E at EverBank Stadium, travels west on Bay Street and turns north on Market Street.
Last year’s parade was postponed to February because of the dangerously cold and icy conditions in Jacksonville. This year’s weather won’t be as extreme, but it will be chilly.
Despite the cold, the parade -- which has been a cornerstone event for more than four decades -- is expected to go on, and organizers encourage attendees to dress warmly.
“This is an opportunity to get out here and represent Martin Luther King today, and we are also giving away a scholarship to a deserving person who would like to attend Edward Waters University,” said Ava Jacques with ALCAM Community Action Motivators.
Friday, News4JAX joined the city and local organizations that kicked off the MLK celebration with the Dr. King annual breakfast.
Randolph Hall, with the Dr. MLK Memorial Foundation and the MLK parade coordinator, said that when he thinks of this day, he is grateful because it serves as a reminder that there is power in unity.
“In this day and age, I think we need more unity and more synergy between city leaders and civic leaders, community leaders, people in general. There is too much division in our country right now, and I don’t believe in divides when it comes to status and position. We are all just one people,” Hall said. “We are all Americans, and we all need each other. We need people in politics to speak to those who don’t have a voice, and we need people who don’t have a voice to use their voice for this country to live up to the power of its creed.”
For Hall, the meaning of Monday’s holiday to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is personal.
“A lot of people lost their lives for us to have that day. A lot of people were beaten, bitten by dogs, (had their) homes and churches bombed. Some even paid the ultimate price for us to enjoy the freedom we all have,” Hall said. “I am grateful, personally grateful that they were willing to sacrifice for an idea of a better country for me.”
Crowds packed downtown for last year’s parade, and a similar turnout is expected Monday.
Following the parade, Hall says, there will be a full day of events at James Weldon Johnson Park downtown, including a children’s zone, arts and crafts and live entertainment.
“It’s an opportunity for everybody…. everybody, the entire city, to come out and show a sense of respect and honor the sacrifices and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King," Hall said.
News4JAX will have a crew at the parade and will be streaming it live for those who can’t attend.