Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is always a day off from school for Pinellas County students, but it should also be a day on for children to learn about and explore the lasting legacy of the iconic civil rights leader. Celebrations across St. Petersburg are a wonderful place for families to participate in honoring Dr. King’s life and dream; events, however, aren’t limited to just one day of remembrance.
Presented by Advantage Village Academy, a local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes self-sufficiency, financial stability, and economic development in the community, MLK-related “Dream Big” events will offer residents the opportunity to honor Dr. King throughout the long weekend beginning Friday, January 17th and concluding Monday, January 20th with the nation’s longest-running Dr. MLK Jr. parade.
MLK Weekend Step Show
Friday, January 17, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Start the weekend off with a big kick. This show — filled with complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps — will feature popular Tampa Bay sororities and fraternities in a step show competition. Catch these lively performances at St. Petersburg College’s Gibbs Campus. Admission is free, but reservations are required due to limited seating.
MLK Music and Culture Festival
Saturday, January 18, 11:00am – 5:00pm
St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront comes alive with entertainment, food vendors, cultural vendors, performer meet-andgreets, and a live DJ for the inaugural MLK Music and Culture Festival located at Albert Whitted Park. Admission is free to this event.
MLK Dream Big Gospel Explosion
Sunday, January 19, 4:00 – 6:00pm
Rejoice with the first-ever MLK Community Choir at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church. Rev. Kevin Parrott will lead the choir in celebrating the life of Dr. King through spiritual songs and hymns. Admission is free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
MLK Dream Big Band Showcase
Sunday, January 19, 8:00pm
Taking place at the Campbell Park Football Field, marching bands from colleges around the country and area high schools will go on field to demonstrate their skills to the community in this entertaining showcase.
MLK Dream Big Parade
Monday, January 20, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Billed as the “nation’s longest-running parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King,” this legendary celebration is back in the Sunshine City. Join over 50,000 parade-goers in downtown St. Petersburg to celebrate Dr. King with college bands, high school bands, City services, community leaders, local businesses, and more joining in on the action. The parade route starts at 3rd Street and 1st Ave South and concludes at Tropicana Field.
MLK Dream Big Family Fun Day
Monday, January 20, 2:00 – 8:00pm
Bring the whole family to lots 6 and 7 at Tropicana Field immediately following the parade for the annual MLK Dream Big Family Fun Day. This free, all-ages festival features bounce houses, slides, food vendors, community leaders, and local businesses and organizations. Additionally, many organizations at this event are recipients of the 2020 St. Petersburg College MLK Day of Service awards.
For more information on these events, visit facebook.com/ MLKdreambig or ava727.eventbrite.com.
