Marches, Parades, Prayer Breakfasts To Celebrate MLK Day In Tampa Bay

TAMPA BAY, FL — On the third Monday of January, the United States celebrates the birthday of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born Jan. 15, 1929.

In his activism, King spoke of a vision of a "Beloved Community" — a community where everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger and hate.

Each year, communities throughout Tampa Bay hold events to share King's vision and give back to others.

Here are some events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Parade

The Improvement League of Plant City will host the 37th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Parade from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Featuring school bands, floats, dance troupes, dignitaries and children's organizations, the 1.4-mile parade will begin at Wheeler Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Plant City, run along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and end at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Complex, 1601 E Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Post-parade activities will continue with the Black and Brown Expo at the recreation center where attendees will enjoy food, vendors, entertainment and giveaways including the Drumline Battle of the Bands from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and live music from 4 to 7 p.m.

Click here.

Dade City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Dade City will host its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade Saturday at 10 a.m. The parade will run from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Seventh Street, Meridian Avenue and Sixth Street, and end at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Building.

Click here.

Dunedin MLK Jr. Celebration

Dunedin will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King celebration Saturday, Jan. 14, starting with a free Unity Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with keynote speakers, a performance of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Choir and readings of diversity essays submitted by students at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 550 Laura Lane, Dunedin.

The celebration will continue from 10:30 to noon with a march to John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park, 420 Main St., Dunedin, where there will be live entertainment celebrating the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Click here.

Tampa Bay Black Heritage Music Festival

The 23rd annual Tampa Bay Black Heritage Music Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa, 600 N Ashley Drive.

It will feature legacy R&B Band Dru Hill on Saturday at 8 p.m.. Known for hits like “Tell Me,” “In My Bed,” “Never Make a Promise” and “How Deep Is Your Love,” Dru Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide.

Jazz, Funk, Soul will perform Sunday at 7:15 p.m., featuring saxophonist Everette Harp, keyboardist Jeff Lorber and guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., who have collaborated with icons like Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin and B.B. King.

Click here for the full lineup of performers during the festival.

There will be food and drinks available to purchase.

Gates open at noon both days. Single-day tickets are $20 and a two-day pass is $30. Click here.

MLK Annual Breakfast, Parade In Tarpon Springs

The Tarpon Springs MLK Foundation will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, Parade and Festivities Saturday, Jan. 14.

The event will begin with breakfast at 8 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs, 501 E Tarpon Ave.

Edie Darling, ambassador of peace, author, spiritual leader, motivational speaker and humanitarian, will be the keynote speaker.

She will also serve as grand marshal for the parade, which will begin at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Levis and Tarpon avenues and end at Dorsett Park.

Click here.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade In Lakeland

The community is invited to celebrate the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 1 p.m.

Hosted by Lakeland's Martin Luther King Jr. Committee and the Education & Enlightenment Group Inc., churches, organizations, daycares, fraternities, sororities, dance groups, bands and businesses will stroll down Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. The parade begins at Providence and West 14th streets and ends at MLK Avenue and 2nd Street.

Click here.

Day Of Caring Festival

The Florida Children's Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland, will host a Day of Caring Festival Saturday, Jan. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This free family-centered community event will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
There will be live performances, arts and crafts, giveaways, community resource vendors and other activities.

Click here.

MLK Leadership Breakfast

On Sunday, Jan. 15, the Improvement League of Plant City will host the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Breakfast, catered by Steph's Southern Soul Food Restaurant, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College in Plant City.

Deanne King of WFLA TV will serve as the mistress of ceremonies and Otis Cliatt, president of Pacific Railroad and a trustee at Florida A&M University will present the keynote speech.
The breakfast will conclude with the presentation of Community Champion Awards and scholarships.

Following the breakfast, the Gospel Extravaganza will take place at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 604 W Ball St.

The event will feature the Georgia Mass Choir, which performed in the Whitney Houston movie, "Preacher's Wife," and during the 1996 Olympics. The Tampa Boys and local praise and worship teams will perform as well. Admission is $20.

Click here.

Clearwater MLK Day Celebration

The city of Clearwater and the NAACP Clearwater Upper Pinellas County Branch will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 16, at the North Greenwood Recreation Center, 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater.

Activities include a breakfast at 9 a.m., a ceremony at 10 a.m. and a march to the MLK memorial at 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Robert Stevenson Jr., assistant instructional professor of African American studies at the University of Florida, will be the guest speaker.

Click here.

Social Justice Project

The Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, 706 2nd St. N., will host a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Social Justice Project Monday, Jan. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Students age 7 to 14 are invited to a full-day workshop where they will learn how to communicate about social justice through art and the significance of MLK Day.

Click here.

MLK Leadership Breakfast

The Tampa Black Organization of Black Affairs will host its 43rd annual MLK Leadership Breakfast Monday, Jan. 16, from 6:45 to 9 a.m. at the JW Marriott Water Street, 510 Water St., Tampa.

Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis will be the keynote speaker. Artis is the first female president of Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. She previously served as the 13th and first woman president of Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens. She is committed to the proliferation and transformation of colleges and universities that serve underrepresented men and women of color. Dr. Artis’ leadership has been recognized locally and nationally.

There will be an awards ceremony to honor corporations and individuals for their positive contributions to the community.

The cost is $50. Click here for tickets.

Tampa MLK Parade

The city of Tampa’s Martin Luther King Parade will take place Monday, Jan. 16, from noon to 5 p.m. starting at Cuscaden Park, 2901 N 15th St., Tampa.

Parade entries include floats, marching bands, equestrian groups and decorated vehicles of all types providing an opportunity for businesses, churches, community groups and government officials to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.

Click here.

Lakeland MLK Prayer Breakfast

The Interdenominational Ministerial Association of Lakeland will host the 19th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 16, at 9 a.m., at Pilgrim Rest United American Freewill Baptist Church, 1052 N Kettles Ave., Lakeland.

The theme is “It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems." The guest speaker will be William Boss, Ph.D.

Tickets are $30. To purchase tickets, call 863-602-1875 or 863-687-1994.

MLK Block Party

Strong Tower Church, 719 N Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, will host a community block party Monday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m., celebrating the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There will be free food, bounce houses, games, haircuts and other activities.

Click here.

MLK Drive-Up Service

On Monday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m., Dade City will host its 2023 MLK Drive-Up Service to honor King's legacy at the Moore-Mickens Education Center, 38301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Click here.