From live music to a parade, a drumline to a health expo, Plant City has been celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for more than three decades. Now in its 38th year, the celebration has grown from a single event to a five-day series of activities, including the opening ceremony, parade, memorial service, health fair, a leadership breakfast and exhibits at the Bing Rooming House Museum.
“Our theme this year ‘Our History: Our Responsibility’ highlights a personal passion of taking responsibility and self-accountability in appreciating local history and allowing the story to tell the story,” said Improvement League of Plant City President William Thomas, Jr. “What we do today is history tomorrow. I will always admire and respect the history of this event founded by the late Jerry Bailey.”
The grand marshall of Saturday’s parade, Vice-Mayor Mary Mathis, who has memories of living in the era of segregation, hopes the next generation will help celebrate King’s legacy as well as cherish opportunities his sacrifice made possible. “What the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King accomplished in his short lifetime is amazing,” said Mathis. “To young people today, please don’t take your freedom and opportunities for granted. There are educational opportunities in place for you to accomplish anything positive that you want to do in this life and because of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King you can accomplish anything.”
For more information visit plantcitymlkfestival.com.
Below is a list of the 2024 events:
Friday, January 12
Opening Ceremony
11:30 a.m. at Sadye Gibbs Martin Recreation Center
The opening ceremony will kick-off the festival and will include a brief program featuring a keynote speaker and musical performances followed by lunch. Call (813) 704-5800 to RSVP.
Saturday, January 13
Black n Brown Expo (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Plant City MLK Freedom Parade and MLK Drumline
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Downtown Plant City
Beginning at the corner of Wheeler Street and MLK Boulevard in downtown, the parade of dazzling floats, middle and high school marching bands, drill teams, churches and other entries heads east on MLK, ending at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center. There will be vendors, food, live music, family-friendly entertainment and more. Following the parade, there will be an MLK Drumline from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 14
Plant City MLK Leadership Breakfast
7:30 a.m. at the Trinkle Center, HCC Plant City Campus
The 38th Annual Leadership Breakfast, hosted by the Improvement League of Plant City and sponsored by TECO, HCC and Law Office of Ted Taylor, P.A., is a community celebration featuring keynote speaker Gary Hartfield, CEO Serenity Village Insurance and the presentation of college/trade school scholarships and community awards. Tickets are $45 per person ($47.25 online). Funds raised support the Sadye Gibbs Martin Scholarships awarded each year to deserving students who meet “need” and “merit” based criteria.
Sunday, January 14
30th Annual Plant City MLK Black Gospel Experience
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church
The public is invited to celebrate the legacy of those who push for diversity and inclusion as they celebrate black gospel music.
Monday, January 15
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Bing Rooming House Museum, 205 Allen St.
Hosted by the Plant City GFWC, the program for this event celebrating King’s actual birthday includes a performance by Lena Morisseau, a poem read by Kamiyah Richardson and remarks by guest speaker Kimberly Banks.