TAMPA BAY — To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there will be several events being held in the Tampa Bay area.
Dr. King was assassinated more than 50 years ago.
Here is a list of events being celebrated in honor of Dr. King.
Jazz in the Park, MLK Parade and Oratorical contest:
The Lakeland Midtown Arts and Culture Organization and the Education and Enlightenment Group will host a number of events honoring Dr. MLK.
The 5th annual MLK Jazz in the Park event will be held on Friday from 5:30 - 9 p.m. The event is free so bring a lawn chair, a blanket and sit back and relax.
The MLK Day Parade is scheduled to take place on Saturday and will begin at 11 a.m. The parade route will start on Providence Road at the 14th Street intersection. The parade will travel on Providence Road then turn onto 10th Street before heading south on MLK Ave.
The parade will include professional floats, step groups, walkers, decorated vehicles and marching bands.
The MLK Youth Oratorical Contest will take place on Monday at the New Mount Zion Church, at 1321 North Webster Ave.
The event is from 7 - 9 p.m.
For more information, click here.
MLK Parade and Festival:
Plant City is holding its 34th Annual MLK Parade and Festival on Saturday.
"In addition to food, music and vendors, this festival reminds us that we all have the power and responsibility to shape our country and our neighborhoods starting today!"
The parade and festival is to take place at the Plant City MLK Recreation Complex, at 1601 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Here is a list of the scheduled events on Saturday:
- MLK Street Fest Vendors — 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- MLK Parade — 1 - 2 p.m.
- MLK Battle of the Bands — 3 - 4:30 p.m.
- Concerts 5 - 7 p.m.
For more information, click here.
Annual MLK National Parade and Family Fun Day:
The nation's longest-running parade honoring MLK will start at the St. Pete pier at 11 a.m. and end at the 16th Street S. across from Tropicana Field.
Following the parade, enjoy a family fun day at Tropicana Field featuring a kids zone, entertainment, an education drive, day of servce programs and more.
The event will start from 2:30 - 8 p.m. on Monday.
For more information, click here.
City of Tampa's Martin Luther King Parade:
The City of Tampa's MLK Parade celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. King, and displays the diversity and community spirit of the Tampa Bay area.
The parade begins at Cuscaden park and ends at Middleton High School. This is the 31st annual parade being held in Tampa.
The MLK Parade is a family friendly, entertaining and fun event. It's also an opportunity for the businesses, social and community groups that make this city strong to come out and be recognized while supporting a common cause.
If you are interested in being a parade entrant, the MLK Parade Foundation invited you to fill out an application and secure your place in line.
For more information, click here.
WMU-Cooley Law School to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:
Students from WMU-Cooley Law School will honor Dr. King by volunteering time and talents with foster children at Everyday Blessings in Lithia.
This will be the sixth year the volunteers have commemorated Dr. King's birthday by providing activities for foster children during the law school's Equal Access to Justice Day.
Events are also planned, including playing games with the children and various activities relating to who Dr. King was and the importance of commemorating his civil rights efforts.
The students will also give a presentation on Dr. King.
The event is set to take place on Monday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Everyday Blessings, at 8421 Pritcher Road.
