JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade, which was postponed in January because of weather, stepped off Monday at 10:30 a.m. from EverBank Stadium Parking Lot J.
Hundreds gathered downtown to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during Black History Month.
Music, vibrant floats, marching bands and dance troupes made their way along the 1-mile route. Mayor Donna Deegan also participated.
Several organizations also came out, including ALCAM Community Action Motivators. The local nonprofit used the parade as an opportunity to promote their college scholarship and offer mentorship to young people.
Katrina Braggs with ALCAM Community Action Motivators said their mission aligns with King’s dream.
“Absolutely, and that’s the thing, especially even more so now because we have to have these young people as well as even bringing back the awareness to the community that this dream -- this can never leave us,” Braggs said. “And we have to attach our own dreams to that and, of course, that is done with education and also with community surely being unified altogether.”
For a full list of those who registered to march in the parade, click here.
Route
The parade began in Lot J at 10:30 a.m. and concludes in Lot Z.
Marchers and floats headed west down East Bay Street, turned right onto Liberty Street, then turned right onto Duval Street, finishing in Lot Z.
Once near Lot Z, the marchers and floats separated to enter the parking lot at the parade’s end near the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena.
The route was about a mile long, which is shorter than last year’s route.
After party
Festivities will continue after the parade until 4 p.m. in Lot Z with music, vendors and more.
The parade is a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc. event supported by the city of Jacksonville.
President’s Day closures
Since the parade took place on President’s Day, most city government offices and all public libraries are closed. But garbage pick up will run normally.
Animal Care and Protective Services is still open for adoptions on Monday.
Southside Tennis Complex, Huguenot Memorial Park and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park will be open.
For a full list of city closures on Monday, click here.
