Advertisement

Parades, family festivals and leadership gatherings mark MLK Day

 
Published Jan. 15, 2016

Parades

National Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Parade

The parade includes marching units, bands, vans and more. Route begins at Third Ave. S. and Martin Luther King St., proceeds north to Central Avenue, east to Bayshore Drive, and north to Fifth Ave. N., disbanding at Vinoy Park. Free. MLK Drum Major for Justice Parade Starting Point, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. and Third Avenue S, St. Petersburg. (727) 388-9494. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade Tampa

The 27th annual community parade includes floats, cars, trucks, walking units and bands from as far away as Jamaica. Begins at the park and ends at Middleton High School. Free. Cuscaden Park, 2900 N 15th St., Tampa. (813) 886-1375. Noon Monday.

Plant City Martin Luther King Jr. Carnival and Parade

Plant City celebrates the holiday early with a street festival including arts and crafts vendors, live music, a drum line show down, car show and a parade through historic downtown (1 p.m.). Free. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center (Plant City), 1601 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City. (813) 757-9195. 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday.

Hernando MLK Parade

Line up begins at 8:30 a.m. in the school parking lot. Free. Hernando High School, 700 Bell Ave., Brooksville. (352) 428-0477, 398-5139. 10 a.m. Monday.

Family events

Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival Music Fest

This weekend celebration features music by national, local and regional acts including Jonathan Butler (Saturday) and Angie Stone (Sunday), health and wellness seminars, cultural activities, displays. Free. Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. 1-888-224-1733 ext. 3143. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

MLK Family Fun Festival

After the downtown St. Petersburg parade, the parking lot at Tropicana Field turns into a festival ground with vendors, a car show, gospel battle of the bands and free activities. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. 2-7 p.m. Monday.

Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival 5K

This run/walk emphasizes healthy living while educating the community about health disparities among African-Americans. Bring a towel or mat for a post-event yoga cool down. Free. Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa. 1-888-224-1733, ext. 3143. 7-8:30 a.m. Saturday.

Tampa Bay Black Heritage Golf Classic

This 10th annual tournament benefits the First Tee of Tampa Bay. $95. Rogers Park Golf Course, 7911 N Willie Black Drive, Tampa. (813) 629-1945. Noon Monday.

Tampa Black Heritage Festival Youth Night

Filmmaker Ric Mathis (Black Friday) is a champion of financial literacy and the importance of leaving a financial and ethical legacy. The event also features speakers, panelists and student performances. Free. Blake High School, 1701 N Boulevard, Tampa. Toll-free 1-888-224-1733, ext. 3143. 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Glazer

A day of special activities and programs included with admission $15, $12.50 military/seniors, $9.50 children, under 1 free. Glazer Children's Museum, 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. (813) 443-3861. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Eat a hearty breakfast before joining a peaceful memory march from the recreation center to a rally in Coachman Park. $5, $3 ages 10 and younger. North Greenwood Recreation Complex and Pool , 900 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater. (727) 461-1369. 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Services and Lectures

Leadership Luncheon with Dick Gregory

Part of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, the American civil rights activist and entertainer Dick Gregory serves as keynote speaker for this luncheon designed to engage the community. $15. University Area Community Development Center, 14013 N 22nd St., Tampa. Toll-free 1-888-224-1733 ext. 3143. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Gulfport Day of Service

Residents, businesses and civic organizations join together in community service projects. Free. Tomlinson Park, 1820 55th St S, Gulfport. (727) 893-1118. 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Faith House Day of Service

Join volunteers for "Healing in the Garden," the erecting of a storage shed to house equipment for garden projects including yoga, movies in the garden, a walking path, basketball and support groups. Free. Faith House Florida, 302 15th St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 822-4981. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday.

Leadership Breakfast St. Petersburg

This annual breakfast brings keynote speaker will be Jamal Harrison Bryant, the Baltimore pastor who delivered the eulogy for Freddie Gray, whose death in police custody preceded riots throughout the city. $25 advance, $30 at the door. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 896-6556. 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Leadership Tampa Breakfast

The Tampa Organization of Black Affairs hosts the 36th annual breakfast that brings together corporate sponsors, politicians, grass roots organizations and members of the community to celebrate and continue to carry out Dr. King's vision. This year's keynote speaker is Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, the 115th bishop of the AME Church. $35. Hilton Hotel Downtown Tampa, 211 N Tampa St., Tampa. (813) 221-4454. 6:45 a.m. Monday.

Interfaith Service

Eric Deggans, author and NPR TV critic, is keynote speaker for the service including musical selections, interfaith prayer and an awards presentation. Free. Allen Temple AME Church, 2101 Lowe St., Tampa. (813) 990-9482. 3:45 p.m. Monday.

Candlelight Vigil

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at USF invite the public to join them in a candlelight vigil to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Takes place at the MLK Plaza Fountain. Free. University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 974-5383. 7-9 p.m. Tuesday.

Commemorative Week Convocation

Grammy-winning rapper and social activist Michael "Killer Mike" Render will discuss his work of community building. Free. University of South Florida Marshall Student Center, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 974-5383. 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Commemorative Lecture Series

Mark Anthony Neal, professor of black popular culture in African-American Studies at Duke University, will do five presentations entitled "Hip Hop, Civil Rights and Social Media." Free. Pasco-Hernando State College - Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel. 1-855-669-7472. Takes place in Room B-303. 10 a.m. Wednesday; Also takes place in Room A-240, on the East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road, Dade City. 1-855-669-7472. 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Plant City Leadership Breakfast

Hillsborough Community College President Ken Atwater serves as guest speaker for this breakfast recognizing our youth and their future. $30. Plant City campus of HCCat the John Trinkle Building, 1206 N Park Road, Plant City. (813) 757-6760. 7:15 a.m. Sunday.