The 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Big Parade begins at 11 a.m on First Avenue South and heads west to 16th Street South, emptying in Tropicana Field’s Parking Lot 1.
ST. PETERSBURG – This year’s 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Big Parade is back on the parade route after sitting last year out due to COVID-19.
For more than three decades, St. Petersburg has celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with various events around the city.
This year’s events will kick off on Saturday, Jan. 15, Dr. King’s birthday, with the Music Festival & Family Fun Day from 11-6 p.m. at the Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Dr. S.E.
Sunday, Jan. 16, will start with the virtual Interfaith Memorial Service. You can view the service beginning at 3:30 p.m. by visiting stjudesp.org and clicking on Livestream.
At 4 p.m., the MLK Community Gospel Choir Showcase will be held at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3300 31st St. S, until 5:30 p.m., followed by the MLK Band Showcase at Campbell Park Football Complex, 601 14th St. S, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
On Monday, Jan. 17, at 9 a.m., the St. Petersburg Metropolitan Section of the National Council of Negro Women’s 36th Annual MLK Leadership Awards event will be held virtually due to COVID-19. This year’s “Moving Forward” theme will include dynamic speakers, a musical medley by a renowned performer, and much more. Visit ncnwstpete.org to buy a virtual ticket.
After the Leadership Awards event, head out to the nation’s longest-running parade honoring Dr. King. Starting at 11 a.m., the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Big Parade route begins on First Avenue South and heads west to 16th Street South, emptying in Tropicana Field’s Parking Lot 1.
Talladega College, Tuskegee University, Texas Southern University, and Miami Norland High School are just a few bands performing at the MLK Band Showcase and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Big Parade.
Attendees are strongly encouraged to continue to follow recommendations set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at all the weekend’s events.
