St. Pete MLK Parade Celebrates ‘The Power of A Dream’ with Community Initiatives

St. Petersburg will hold its 39th Annual MLK Parade on Monday, Jan. 19. The theme? "The Power of A Dream." Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival Inc. will co-host. Things start at 11 a.m. and wind through downtown streets before ending at Tropicana Field.

The parade begins on 1st Avenue South at 3rd Street South. It heads west to 16th Street South, then turns south on 16th Street South to 3rd Avenue South. Expect road closures from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University will perform. The Wendell Scott Foundation will bring a race car that pays tribute to the first African American NASCAR driver and team owner to win at the sport's top tier.

This parade has grown into one of the nation's longest-running MLK events. Families and groups pack the streets each year.

A citywide program called 45 Days of Excellence runs from Jan. 1 through Feb. 14. It will feature online storytelling, spotlights on local residents, and select live events that honor people and groups whose work reflects Dr. King's vision.

The MLK Communities in Action Mini-Grant Program will showcase projects centered on unity, health, and volunteer service across St. Petersburg and Pinellas County during this 45-day stretch. Volunteers, participants, sponsors, and partners all help make this event happen each year.

Want to learn more? Visit www.stpetemlkparade.com or email info@stpetemlkparade.com for details on how to participate and get involved.