The Dr. Martin Luther King Parade Foundation, after careful deliberation, has made the decision to postpone the 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Parade. The postponement comes as a safety precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Tampa’s parade will take place on Saturday, June 19, 2021 in combination with the observance of Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day.
Juneteenth is the nation’s annual celebration of the abolishment of the awful practice of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth 2021 follows a year of protests, calls for police and criminal justice reform and a long overdue commitment to address the systemic racism that still plagues our country.
The decision to postpone did not come easy. The Foundation wanted the new date to be as significant and relevant as the MLK holiday and Dr. King himself. Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee day, Liberation day, and Emancipation Day, signifies a beginning to the journey of freedom and equality Dr. King fought for throughout his life.
“Our primary concerns were for the safety of our Parade participants, the safety of our community, and upholding the integrity of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy”, said Foundation President, Robert Scott, Jr. “We are happy that we are able to address all these concerns with our final decision.”
The parade will start as usual at Cuscaden Park (2900 N. 15th Street Tampa, FL 33605), beginning 11:00 am, and end at Middleton High School. As always, the parade will be a free, family friendly event and all are welcome.
The Foundation encourages community organizations, churches, and businesses interested in participating in the parade to continue submitting their parade applications. The entry deadline has been extended to May 19, 2021. Applications and payment can be submitted online or mailed directly to the parade office at 5508 N. 50th St., Ste. 28, Tampa, FL 33610.
For more information on payment options, parade entry, sponsorship, or volunteer opportunities, please contact the MLK Parade Foundation office at 813-803-8060, or visit www.mlkjrparade.com.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Parade Foundation, Inc. is a certified charitable 501c3 non-profit organization established in 2014, whose purpose is to honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while providing a lasting and positive impact throughout the Tampa community.
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