Monday, Jan. 20 marks the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and people across the country plan to gather in celebration and remembrance of the life of the civil rights activist. In St. Pete, a weekend-long roster of events kicks off Friday, culminating in the longest-running parade in America celebrating King.
The four-day celebration kicks off Friday with an MLK Dream Big Banquet at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park. Sunday, an MLK Band Showcase brings marching bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to Gibbs High School, where families can watch them perform and discuss scholarship opportunities with band directors. The weekend crescendos with a parade through the city Monday.
This 38th year of the city’s MLK Dream Big Celebration has a few notable highlights, including the return of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) “Marching 100,” one of the oldest and most awarded HBCU marching bands. St. Pete’s first Black fire chief, Keith Watts, is the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade.
”I’m grateful that my alma mater will be adding some extra pep in our step as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch in his Dec. 24 “The Progress Report with Mayor Ken Welch” email newsletter.
“We compete with so many other cities to get the FAMU Marching Rattlers here, so we’re thrilled that we have them this year,” said Carl Lavender, Chief Equity Officer for the City of St. Petersburg. “We’re also increasing the number of faith leaders and interfaith organizations walking in the parade, and the number of young people involved.”
Lavender said, on top of celebrating Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality and progress, including the younger generation in the city’s MLK Dream Big Celebration is a strategic move to ensure the future of St. Pete as a diverse, inclusive and vibrant community.
“In the midst of so many things happening on social media and all of the challenges that young people go through in this day and age, to gather together and celebrate legacy, values and the men and women who have worked so hard in their lives for their achievements, like our Grand Marshal Chief Watts- it provides inspiration,” Lavender said.
In addition to the FAMU Marching 100, this year’s parade features performances from Tuskegee University, Savannah State University, Albany State University and more.
“We’ve gone through so much with three back-to-back storms,” Lavender added. “This is a time to celebrate. Let’s walk, let’s dance, let’s have a good time and join hands together to say, ‘We are St. Pete.’”
The parade is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for the Friday banquet and Sunday band showcase. More information is available online at mlkdreambig.com.
