The 30th year of the festival will be marked with new activities and annual favorites.
Last Friday kicked off the 30th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Festival in Plant City, but this upcoming weekend will feature most of the festival’s activities.
“We are just in high speed right now,” William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, said. Thomas hopes that the festival, which this year has a theme of faith, community and unity, will be able to raise $40,000 this year. All proceeds will go to the Bing Rooming House.
On Friday, Jan. 15, Plant City residents can attend the opening ceremonies for the festival at the Plant City MLK Recreation Center.
The event is free to the public, and will include performances by area schools, including the Lincoln IB Drummer Ensemble and Marshall Middle School’s Jazz Ensemble and Gentleman’s Quest club.
“That’s essentially our formal welcome,” Thomas said. “Thirty years is a long time for a festival of our type. We’re making efforts to recognize that.”
To commemorate 30 years, three local pastors will speak at the opening ceremony. Pastor Calvin Callins, of Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries, Rev. Henry Simmons, of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and Rev. Shafter Scott, of St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church, will speak for five minutes each before the festivities begin.
That evening, a teen dance will be held at the MLK Center following the Durant versus Plant City basketball game. The Improvement League will present a trophy to the winning teams, and teens can get in to the dance for just $2 if they show their stamp from the game.
Saturday, Jan. 16, will kick off events with an all-day vendor and street festival at the Plant City MLK Sports Complex. This year, festival attendees also will be able to enjoy a carnival, complete with live music, rides and games.
“It’s unique that a carnival is coming back this year,” Thomas said. “It says a lot about what we do.”
Thomas added that it is the community support of the festival that made the carnival possible.
“We’ve gotten a lot of support this year,” Thomas said. “Plant City is becoming more diverse. The business and church communities have increased support this year. The church was the anchor 30 years ago and still is today.”
The church might be the anchor, but the festival has grown in sponsorships. This year’s festival is sponsored by Bright House Networks, TECO Energy, the City of Plant City, Florida Blue, Mosaic, Sunshine Bank and Felton’s Meat and Produce Market.
Also on Saturday, Plant City residents can head to Historic Downtown to watch the annual MLK Freedom Parade, sponsored by Stingray Chevrolet. The event, a favorite of the festival, will begin at 1 p.m. with band appearances by Durant and Strawberry Crest high schools, and Tomlin, Marshall and Turkey Creek middle schools. Parade-goers will also see the Tampa Bay Posse Corvette Club and Buffalo Soldiers. The parade will be led by the Plant City High School Raiders Football team, in recognition of its success this past game season.
If music lovers are still itching for more after the parade, they can watch the high school and middle school drumline showdown, which begins at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Area bands will compete for cash prizes for first, second and third place winners.
On Sunday, Jan. 17, festival goers can start off the morning with a 7:30 a.m. leadership breakfast at the John R. Trinkle Center on the Hillsborough Community College campus.
Dr. Ken Atwater, HCC president, will be the guest speaker. Community awards will be presented at the breakfast, including the MLK Leadership Award and the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Service Award.
Sunday’s festivities will end with an MLK Gospel Fest, held at the MLK Recreation Center. On Monday, Jan. 18 — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Plant City residents can grab their work boots and hammers for a day of service to conclude the five-day festival. The Improvement League of Plant City encourages residents to adopt leftover projects from CareFest, a community service day that was held in September.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
Opening Ceremonies
When: 11:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 15
Where: Plant City MLK Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Cost: Free
Teen Party
When: 9:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 15
Where: Plant City MLK Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Cost: $2 with Durant/PCHS basketball game stamp; $5 at the door
Street Festival & Carnival
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 16
Where: Plant City MLK Sports Complex, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Cost: Free; additional costs for carnival rides and vendors
MLK Freedom Parade
When: Begins at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 16
Where: Down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, through Historic Downtown Plant City
Cost: Free
Leadership Breakfast
When: 7:30 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 17
Where: John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road
Cost: $30
MLK Gospel Fest
When: 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 17
Where: Plant City MLK Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Cost: Free
