On Jan. 16, the largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in the Southeastern United States will march 2.5 miles through St. Petersburg, starting at Tropicana Field and ending at Vinoy Park. The parade typically attracts around 100,000 spectators with over 125 marching bands and floats. The parade starts at 11 a.m. and is scheduled until 2 p.m.
The university will remain closed that day and USFSP students will participate in the parade. For seven years, USFSP has participated in the parade with people walking, driving golf carts and cars featuring the campus CEO, administrators, faculty, staff, students and family members. Participants are encouraged to wear green, gold and white to represent the university.
In addition to the parade, several events have been planned by Gulf of St. Petersburg-B.L.A.C.K. (Black Legacy in America Celebrating King). Gospel recording artist Derek Smith will perform on Jan. 13 at a banquet at the Marriott on Roosevelt Boulevard at 7 p.m. The banquet honors the late Pinellas County School Board member Lewis “Lew” Williams, remembered as a “legendary educator and Civil Rights activist.” Williams was responsible for getting all 12 of the Pinellas County School bands to participate in the very first St. Petersburg MLK Parade 27 years ago. Williams died on Dec. 3, 2011 in St. Petersburg. Tickets for the banquet are $40 per person.
On Jan. 15 the Annual National MLK, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Battle of the Bands and Drum Line Extravaganza will be held at Tropicana Field at 4 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance are $10 and $12 the day of the event. Tickets can be purchases at local churches in St. Petersburg. For more information on the Battle of the Bands and the Jan. 13 banquet, visit www.mlknationalparade.org.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into effect by Ronald Reagan in 1983 and is observed the third Monday of every January in honor of his birthday, which was Jan. 15.
USFSP students interested in marching in the parade should contact Michelle Kerr, USFSP Student Government director of university and community relations, by email at mkerr4@mail.usf.edu and plan to arrive at the Tropicana Field parking lot by 9 a.m. the day of the parade.
Email: life@crowsneststpete.com
