47th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department
Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

Wednesday, November 27 
All Offices, Libraries, and Recreation Centers will close at 5 PM 

Thursday, November 28  
CLOSED: All Offices, Libraries, Gated Parks, Recreation Centers, and the Cleveland Heights Golf Course.   
OPEN: Unmanned parks will be accessible; however, trash and restrooms will not be monitored throughout the day. We appreciate the public’s help keeping these spaces clean.   

Friday, November 29  
CLOSED: All offices, Libraries, and Recreation Centers  
OPEN: All Parks and the Cleveland Heights Golf Course. (Tennis Courts at the Beerman Family Tennis Center will close with Common Ground.)  

"Unity Through Diversity"
Saturday, January 18, 2025
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 City of Lakeland is excited to partner with the Reverend Dr. MLK Commission of Lakeland to host the MLK Jr. Parade and other activities to bring the community together for a week of fun-filled events. 

Parade Photos

2024
2023
2022

Parade Video

2024
2023
2022

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

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Video Tribute 

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

Read all of the info below to participate IN the 2024 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade then submit your application online here:

• Parade Route

  The parade begins at Providence and West 14th Street and ends at MLK Avenue and 2^nd Street. 
  There is no longer a NO Sound Area.
  The Judges Area will now be located on West 5th Street.

  GPS Enabled Parade Route Map
  

• Welcome Letter from Parade Committee

  The City of Lakeland and the Reverend Dr. MLK Jr Commission of Lakeland would like to invite your group and/or organization to participate in the 47th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Parade: Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 1:00 PM. As our Parade continues to grow and improve in quality and content, this year’s theme is "Unity Through Diversity". 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).

  Submit your application, narrative, and payment online. Participant waivers are to be submitted by January 14^th, 2025, to:

  Simpson Park Community Center
  1725 MLK Jr. Avenue
  Lakeland, Florida 33805

  Registration will continue to be online as many of you have already completed this process in previous years. It’s important that everyone have an online WebTrac profile account setup prior to completing the application.

  If you have not set up a WebTrac profile online, please visit our website and watch the "How-To Setup Your Profile on WebTrac" video located at the bottom of the screen. entered. 

  https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/parks-recreation-and-cultural-arts/online-registration/

  *Online registration opens Monday, August 19^th at 9 AM. The last day to register will be December 8^th.  

  On behalf of the City of Lakeland and the Reverend Dr. MLK Jr Commission of Lakeland, 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 14, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be located at the Coleman-­Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33805.

  Questions can be directed to MLKParade@Lakelandgov.net.

  Cordially Yours,

  City of Lakeland, and the Reverend Dr. MLK Commission of Lakeland

• Waiver

  Download Waiver:

  Participant Waiver

  Waivers will be required from all participants. Please return your waiver(s) by January 14^th at the Packet Pickup and Information Meeting or IN PERSON to:
  
  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. August 19 through December 7, 2024

  Submit your application, narrative, and payment online.

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

• Date/Time/Staging

  Parade Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 1 PM

  Line Up Start: 10:30 AM

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

   

• Parade Group Descriptions

  Professional Float, Trailer Float, Walking Unit, Decorated Vehicles, Marching Band, Dance-Step Group, Unique Cars and Trucks

  Performance groups must register no later than November 8^th.  The City of Lakeland and the Reverend Dr. MLK Commission will review and approve performances on November 19^th and 21^st at Coleman-Bush Building.

  Performance music must be a clean version and submitted via thumb drive at time of performance review.
  
  Email the Parade Committee for info regarding dance group participation.

  If you are unsure of group description, please Email the Parade Committee for info regarding group participation.

• Decoration for Parade Groups:

  "Unity Through Diversity" Floats: Important Information

  • The towing vehicle should be decorated with a 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 mentioned for later viewing on LGN (City of Lakeland TV). The main purpose is to provide identification of the unit.
  • The unit shall be no taller than 15 ft. from the ground and no wider than 12 ft.
  • Safety bars or some stable structure shall be provided for persons standing on the unit.
  • Judges will award plaques for the following categories that support the parade: Best Decorated Float/Best Walking Unit /Decorated Vehicle/Best Marching Band/Best Step-Dance Group/Best Unique Cars & Trucks. There will be One-Judges' Choice Awards: Best Creative Overall Unit.
  • Each application should contain a unit description. Each participant has an obligation to update his or her application before the mandatory packet pickup and information meeting on January 14, 2025.

  Updates can be requested by calling either 863.834.2577 or 863.834.3350 x 1 or emailing MLKParade@Lakelandgov.net.

• General Information
  • Final acceptance and position of the units within the parade are made by the City of Lakeland.
  • Notification of your unit position will be issued at our mandatory packet pickup meeting Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Coleman-Bush Building.
  • 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).
  • Nothing can be Given or Thrown Out along the Route {Candy/Literature).
  • Music should be the clean version and the volume at an appropriate level.
  • 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.