The Improvement League of Plant City, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, will celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival Jan. 18 to 21, in Plant City.
The festival will begin with opening ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 18, at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Other featured events include a parade at 1 p.m. Jan. 19, along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from downtown to the rec center; a Leadership Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 20, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 North Park Road; and a Freedom Walk at 1 p.m. Jan. 21, at Samuel W. Cooper Park, 900 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
The festival also includes a carnival midway Jan. 18 to 19, at the rec center, concerts and more.
For more information, visit plantcitymlkfestival.com.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
JAN. 18
11:30 a.m. — Opening Ceremony at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Guest speaker will be the Re.v Shafter Scott. The Lincoln Elementary IB Choir also will perform.
1 to 8 p.m. — Carnival attractions at rec center grounds.
6:30 p.m. — Step Show at Marshall Middle School, 18 S. Maryland Ave. Tickets are $10.
JAN. 19
10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Carnival attractions at rec center grounds.
1 p.m. — Parade. Route begins downtown and continues on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the rec center. Parade marshals are Carl and Beatrice Crowell, longtime educators and FAMU alumni.
2:30 p.m. — Live music at the rec center.
4 p.m. — Gospel Extravaganza inside the rec center
JAN. 20
7:30 a.m. — Leadership Breakfast at John R. Trinkle Center, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 North Park Road. Tickets are $25 per person. Speaker is Elder Joe Nathan Harman Jr.
JAN. 21
1 to 4 p.m.: Freedom Walk at Samuel W. Cooper Park, 900 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Tours of Bing Rooming House Museum at 205 S. Allen St.
