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St. Petersburg hosts MLK day parade
Ariel Plasencia reports.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The "Dream Big" parade honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once again took to the streets of St. Petersburg on Monday.
It's a staple in the community, and one of the oldest and largest in the country.
"There’s no hate, no violence. We’re just out here with our community just seeing what everybody has to offer and just kind of realizing that this is what we’re all here for," parade-goer Nkechi Mbano-Duverlus said.
For 38 years, St. Pete-based organization "Advantage Village Academy" has organized the parade to happen after an entire weekend full of community-focused events that celebrate Dr. King Jr.
Dozens of floats, car clubs, and bands were featured in the parade, while businesses along the route also opened and held celebrations as well.
"You see a lot of people out here that’s showing good signs of togetherness, and we are coming together as one," said parade-goer Patrick Stewart.
File: St. Pete MLK Day parade
Organizer Jeffrey Copeland says the best part is seeing everybody marching to the same beat of equality, justice, and freedom.
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"To have one of the largest parades in the United States, and to see all the people that come around just to watch this parade - just to be a part of it -it’s a great feeling to have," Copeland shared. "It's about togetherness. When Dr. King said he wants little white kids and black kids to walk hand in hand - that's what we see at the parade, everybody standing side by side, total strangers but they're having a great time together."
File: St. Pete MLK Day parade
The parade route followed 1st Avenue South from east to west, turned left on 16th street, and concluded at Tropicana Field. In LOT 4 at the Trop, there was a family-friendly event featuring food, games, and activities for all ages.
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File: St. Pete MLK Day parade
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At the event, there was also the debut of a newly wrapped bus in the parade, featuring a portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.