Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

"Our History is Our Future"

Saturday, January 21, 2023
1:00 PM

The Community is invited to join us as we celebrate the Dream of Martin Luther King Jr.  Churches, organizations, daycares, fraternities, sororities, dance groups, bands, and businesses will stroll down Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue during this community event.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Committee is excited to partner with the Education & Enlightenment Group, Inc. (EEG) to host the MLK Jr. Parade and other activities to bring the community together for a week of fun filled events. 

Parade Photos

2023
2022

Parade Video

2023
2022

Parade Contact:
MLKParade@LakelandGov.net
Office: 863.834.2577
Office: 863.834.3350

OR eegincevents@gmail.com

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 21, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. As our Parade continues to grow and improve in quality and content, this year’s theme is “Our History is Our Future”. 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 2, (extended) December 16, 2022, to: (Checks made payable to City of Lakeland Attn: MLK Jr Parade)

  Attn: Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
  City of Lakeland
  228 S. Massachusetts Ave.
  Lakeland, Florida 33801

  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 17, 2023, at 6:30 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 eegincevents@gmail.com.

  Cordially Yours,

  City of Lakeland, EEG, and the MLK Commission

• 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 2, (extended) December 16, 2022 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 2, 2022

  1. Submit your application and narrative online.
  2. Return your waiver(s) and entry fees by December 2, (extended) December 16, 2022, 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 21, 2023 at 1 PM

  Line Up Start: 10:30 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. 

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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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  Dance Group:
  Reach out to the Parade Committee for info regarding dance group participation.

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  Other:
  Any group type not mentioned. Reach out to the Parade Committee for info regarding group participation.

  ---

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

• Decoration for Parade Groups:

  "Our History is Our Future" 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 17.

  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 Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 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 the 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 the day of the parade, place them in the 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 instructed by Parade Committee
  • 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 (now closed).
  3. Return entry fees by  December 2, (extended) December 16, 2022  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 17, 2023, 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 21.