Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Community Parade

Parade Photos

2022

Parade Video

2022

Parade Contact:
John Williams, Brenda Tillman, James Axson
MLKParade@LakelandGov.net
Office: 863.834.2577
Office: 863.834.3350

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Video Tribute 

Download your copy of the MLK Video Tribute on our Vimeo channel.

• Welcome Letter from Parade Committee

  The City of Lakeland Staff and Parade Committee would like to invite your group and/or organization to participate in the Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Parade: Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. (units stage at 9:00 a.m.). As our Parade continues to grow and improve in quality and content, this year’s theme is “Dream, Vision, Unity”. The route will be from 14th Street to Providence and 10th Street ending on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and 2nd Street.

  This is an excellent way to promote your organization at a minimal cost. Entries are limited, so do submit your application early. Nothing can be given out along the route (candy or literature).

  Review the application below carefully and complete the application and narrative completely. Submit your application and narrative online. Participant waivers and entry fees are due by December 10, 2021 to: (Checks made payable to City of Lakeland Attn:. MLK Parade)

  Attn: Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

  Simpson Park Community Center
  1725 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
  Lakeland, Florida 33805

  On behalf of the City of Lakeland and Parade Committee, we would like to say, "Thank you" for your continuous support of this event. We look forward to seeing you at the Packet Pickup and Information Meeting on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be located at Coleman­Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33805.

  Questions can be directed to MLKParade@Lakelandgov.net or call (863) 834-2577 or (863) 834-3350.

  Cordially Yours,

  City of Lakeland - Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Committee

• Parade Route

  The parade begins at Providence and West 14th Street and ends at MLK Avenue and 2^nd Street. 

  View Route (Google Maps)

• Waiver

  Download Waiver:

  Adult Waiver
  Child Waiver

  1. Submit your application and narrative online.
  2. Return your waiver(s) and entry fees by December 10, 2021 IN PERSON to:
     
     

     Attn: Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
     Simpson Park Community Center
     1725 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
     Lakeland, Florida 33805

  Please do NOT mail waivers.

• Entry Fees

  Entry fees are $20 per unit. Deadline December 10, 2021.

  1. Submit your application and narrative online.
  2. Return your waiver(s) and entry fees by December 10, 2021, to:
     
     Attn: Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
     Simpson Park Community Center
     1725 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
     Lakeland, Florida 33805
     
     

  Please do NOT mail waivers. Entry fees may be mailed or submitted in person.

• Date/Time/Staging

  Parade Date: Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 11 AM

  Line Up Start: 9:00 AM

  Staging Area: Kathleen Road & 14th Street (Large Field), Lakeland (Map)

  Applications will be reviewed by the City of Lakeland Staff & Parade Committee.

• Parade Group Descriptions

  Professional Float:
  Designed and constructed by a professional float company. (Ex. Festival Floats)

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  Trailer Float:
  Designed from sources other than a professional float company. (Ex. Homemade-flatbed/truck pulling trailer)

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  Walkers:
  A maximum of 20 walkers per unit (number not including chaperones). Participants over 20 count will be an additional fee.

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  Decorated Vehicles:
  Cars, Trucks, Vans, Antiques, Classics and Convertibles

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  Marching Band:
  A performing group of moderated size. Drill teams may perform in conjunction with marching band units. Units should allow at least 4 feet between units.

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  Animals:
  Units composed of live animals must be followed by a pick-up person, must submit proof of liability insurance coverage.

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  Other:
  Any group type not mentioned. Only allowed with approval of the City of Lakeland Parade Coordinator.

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  Nothing can be given out along the parade route: candy, literature, etc.

• Decoration for Parade Groups:

  "Dream * Vision * Unity" Floats: Important Information

  • The towing vehicle should be decorated with theme and must be equipped with a tow bar, safety chains, and working brake lights.
  • The organization's name/number should be visible to provide the announcer and judges of the unit to be mention for later viewing on LGN (City of Lakeland TV). The main purpose is to provide identification of unit.
  • The unit shall be no taller than 15ft. from the ground and no wider than 12ft.
  • Safety bars or some stable structure shall be provided for persons standing on the unit.
  • Judges will award trophies for the following categories that support the parade them: Best Decorated Float/Best Decorated Vehicle/Best Walking Unit/Best Step-Cheer Group. There will be Three-Judges' Choice Awards: Band/Best Church/Best Creative Overall Unit.
  • Each application should contain a unit description. Each participant has an obligation to update his or her application before mandatory packet pickup and information meeting on January 11.

  Updates can be requested by calling either 863.834.2577 or 863.834.3350 or emailing MLKParade@Lakelandgov.net.

• General Information
  • Acceptance and position of the units within the parade are made by the City of Lakeland Parade Coordinator and are final.
  • Notification of your unit position will be furnished at our mandatory packet pickup meeting, Wednesday, January 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Coleman-Bush Building.
  • Alcoholic beverages and smoking are NOT allowed on Coleman-Bush Building premises and will not be permitted at any time prior to or during the parade.
  • Any person driving a motorized vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
  • Units should continue the flow of the line throughout the parade to avoid gaps.
  • All parade participants should be picked up at the end of the parade route; P.A.L. Complex (2nd Street) or return to staging area on Kathleen & 14th Street (map will be provided).
  • Waiver of Liability Forms will be required from all participants. Forms are asked to be in for every participant before day of parade, place in envelope provided for you. Please Hand-Deliver the Waiver Forms vs. sending in mail.
  • Nothing can be Given or Thrown Out along the Route {Candy/Literature).
    • The Lakeland Police Department (LPD) will enforce this rule; Excused from line-up.
  • Music should be the clean version and the volume at an appropriate level.
    • This rule will be enforced by the Lakeland Police Department; they will remove you from the line-up.
  • Participants are asked to enter the staging area from Kathleen Road & 14th Street, unless otherwise instructor by Coordinator.
  • Participants should have an assigned number to enter the staging area.
  • Participants will have a designated area in the Lot near Kathleen Road to park their personal vehicles.
• To-Do: Checklist
  1. Read parade information on this page thoroughly.
  2. Fill out and submit your parade packet online (below parade info tabs).
  3. Return entry fees by December 10, 2021  to:
     
     Attn: Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
     Simpson Park Community Center
     1725 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
     Lakeland, Florida 33805
     
     
  4. Print out and return waiver(s). Waivers may be turned in at the January 11th Parade Interest Meeting.
  5. Attend the Parade Interest Meeting on January 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
  6. Be ready to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and what that means in the Lakeland Community on Saturday, January 15.
• Late Entries

  Entries received after December 10th will be accepted through December 17th; late entry fees will be $30.

Online Application

- ONLINE APPLICATIONS are now closed. Please email us with any questions MLKParade@Lakelandgov.net 

You must print and return parade waivers (Adult, Child). Entry fees should be paid ($20/unit) by December 10, 2021 to:

Simpson Park Community
Attn. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
1104 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Lakeland, Florida 33805

Please do NOT mail waivers.
Entry fees may be submitted via mail or in person.