Parades in Tampa and St. Petersburg were held to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy.
The Savannah State University marching band performs during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
Parades in Tampa and St. Petersburg were held to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy.
Tampa Bay celebrated the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday with parades in Tampa and St. Petersburg featuring marching bands, step teams, dancers and more.
In St. Petersburg, the MLK Dream Big Parade — in its 37th year — is one of the oldest in the nation.
Dancers with Tuskegee University perform during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
A child makes a peace sign during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
A baby naps with parade beads during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
A tuba player performs with the Lakewood High School marching band during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
Finnian McCallen, 11, of St. Petersburg, settles beads around his neck while enjoying the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
A drum majors lead the Savannah State University marching band during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
Victor Marshall, 62, of Tampa, is pictured smiling during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
Children watch and cheer for beads and candy during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
A team of people with Empath Health march together during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
Jaime Dotson, 32, of St. Petersburg, claps to music during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
Spend your days with Hayes
Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter
Columnist Stephanie Hayes will share thoughts, feelings and funny business with you every Monday.
Loading...
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Drum majors lead the Savannah State University marching band during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
MLK Dream Big parade goers catch beaded necklaces on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
The Gulfport Gecko Amalgamated Marching Band performs
during the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
MLK Dream Big parade goers catch beaded necklaces thrown by the St.Petersburg Police Department on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
(From left) Shakita Martin, 37, of Clearwater, adjusts Dylan Williams’ hat before the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
The John F. Kennedy Middle School marching band performs during the annual MLK Dream Big parade along 1st Avenue South on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
Parade grand marshal, Shaquem Griffin, a former UCF and NFL football player, throws beads during the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
The Tuskegee University Marching Pipers perform during the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch waves during the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
St.Petersburg Police Department Assistant Chief Antonio Gilliam passes out beaded necklaces to MLK Dream Big parade goers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
Jessica Roberts, 32, of Riverview, holds her 1-year-old son, Quest, before the start of the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg. [ ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times ]
:format(webP)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4BFBOCJWXVAITGAOJAUSS2DGAE.jpg "The Savannah State University marching band performs during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FZLBZ4H4XJGMVG5ZZFYBAXNGB4.jpg "Dancers with Tuskegee University perform during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6EIJQEXPBFCJZKNSUHFSO7NDAU.jpg "A child makes a peace sign during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WBZ7QKPHRZC7FMIFAOEPYKDY3U.jpg "A baby naps with parade beads during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/HGBTVY6RUJHLLJCQXQRK5BBE3M.jpg "A tuba player performs with the Lakewood High School marching band during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KZ55QBP6BJCXBELMBRUG246CKU.jpg "Finnian McCallen, 11, of St. Petersburg, settles beads around his neck while enjoying the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PEL3AQ24RJBNRNEL3RLET6AXHI.jpg "A drum majors lead the Savannah State University marching band during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UUNUI2LPORD3HD36BALXHX3XTU.jpg "Victor Marshall, 62, of Tampa, is pictured smiling during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5X5RXXOI2VG45LLXEGPL3VSXYU.jpg "Children watch and cheer for beads and candy during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/AXU4F6VIMJFWPAGULMIMKFP73M.jpg "A team of people with Empath Health march together during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IYTKHQGAJJACROLP6YDO77FI7E.jpg "Jaime Dotson, 32, of St. Petersburg, claps to music during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/X6J6Q27TTNAGLLLDIFPLNBLL7I.JPG "Spend your days with Hayes")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QPL37EZPKJDYZBO4WW2EMUDUSA.jpg "Drum majors lead the Savannah State University marching band during the MLK Day Dream Big Parade, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UO67CRJ2ANEURFSUWLKZ3NKO3U.JPG "MLK Dream Big parade goers catch beaded necklaces on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4Q6UHSJKSFFGHCKAWX42JB35SY.JPG "The Gulfport Gecko Amalgamated Marching Band performs
during the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KE5MF6M3SNGK5JJGMFFJWZDXOY.JPG "MLK Dream Big parade goers catch beaded necklaces thrown by the St.Petersburg Police Department on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ECICY3XOJFAUFLYQ4WRQSQUPX4.JPG "(From left) Shakita Martin, 37, of Clearwater, adjusts Dylan Williams’ hat before the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4G7N75PB5JEYJLHB6JNSC44K5Y.JPG "The John F. Kennedy Middle School marching band performs during the annual MLK Dream Big parade along 1st Avenue South on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FEXP2JRLFJEA7JUP5HX6MQ4LYA.JPG "Parade grand marshal, Shaquem Griffin, a former UCF and NFL football player, throws beads during the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/AWBUCAH3SJHY5O6H2Z73QULY7I.JPG "The Tuskegee University Marching Pipers perform during the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6SWEBQCKSBGQPPVZE626IZGQ3Q.JPG "St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch waves during the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BI3QNAD55JHAFNXPQH6YMVDGYA.JPG "St.Petersburg Police Department Assistant Chief Antonio Gilliam passes out beaded necklaces to MLK Dream Big parade goers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/HIFFFYR7WJBLFIE7HRE4DYKWJE.JPG "Jessica Roberts, 32, of Riverview, holds her 1-year-old son, Quest, before the start of the MLK Dream Big parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in St.Petersburg.")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/1099d152-4a90-494e-aa2f-5c6df1c4c32e.png "Martha Asencio-Rhine - Photo Director, Projects & Features")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/eBZsP8FFOV8H7J2mvF7mmHz8ZIc=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/HMXN4IXHAFEB5CSAXN7WFEQ4XY.JPG "Photos: ARRRRRRGH! Pirates invade Tampa for Gasparilla")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/Yxaj30I4Bwqk3cvTeZSLZAFo1AQ=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6YJI2JI3NBFLNL7UA4P6GQ2TNE.jpg "Gasparilla victory parade turns into a pirate party along the Riverwalk")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/kdij-1Z2uxAHwVKGk9e8ew7stYY=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OANQS7IMSVG2NCSIZ2VSZDVZJM.jpg "Tampa Bay leaders challenge DeSantis’ education policy at Black History Month ceremony")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/zBUqLuXKOmfOMzW3pYYmx2XRzXs=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/EKACPHSJE5HDZPDSLDGGBFDTQQ.JPG "At a gallery in Largo, artificial intelligence helps create images of Blackness")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/ulK8vQKKNCz3PLq2Bfgghb9TZLs=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/RCQRPZYBDJH63E35T37QCNQ2JI.JPG "What to know about Tampa Bay’s first Raising Cane’s opening")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/enAcJT5kNppiSf2z4eeRM5kDQWY=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4BBAIHY74RAG7A3U6RNIB5AACU.JPG "Rays have a developer and a plan for a stadium. Do they have a partner in St. Pete?")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/xZWsOjLhrWCgX8115OnOERi7t5A=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ZOSBVNBFZJE5NDAD3NUUMURUFI.JPG "Feeding Tampa Bay breaks ground at site of new headquarters")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/f59tFFAsY9zbLWNeNcPnT-DvF2s=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/RIFUWYAQLD4Y3X6OCBTTBD6XPA.jpg "Celebrate Black History Month with these Tampa Bay events")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PR2HM5HHBRB5BD5X565BSRM6YI.jpeg "Torchy’s Tacos opens in St. Petersburg")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/G6QWUPLFZVBERP7OU4RUSAEXA4.JPG "Tampa’s Glazer Children’s Museum unboxes giant dinosaur skull for upcoming exhibit")