MLK Parade Takes Place Saturday

Saturday marks the 24th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace & Unity Parade Celebration and the theme for this year's parade is “Peace! Passion! Purpose!”

Sixth District councilmember Dee Andrews says that this year's theme especially signifies the teachings of Dr. King.

“As we reflect on this years’ parade theme, let us remember the purpose of this special City of Long Beach event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, and moves us towards Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community”, Andrews said.

The parade will begin on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue intersecting Anaheim Street, and is followed by a multi-cultural celebration at King Park located at 1950 Lemon Avenue.

The celebration, which attracted ver 20,000 people in 2011, will include music and dance performances, and there will also be a children and teen area with free carnival rides and give-a-ways. There will be food, general merchandise vending booths, and community services information, as well as a Health Pavilion that will provide a number of free health tests and flu shots.