Forty years ago, in 1983, then-President Ronald Regan signed the King holiday bill into law, opening the door to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a federal holiday. While King was officially born on Jan. 15, 1929 in Atlanta, the holiday in his honor is held every year on the third Monday in January.
In Plant City, The Improvement League of Plant City and GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City are pulling out all the stops by hosting its 37th annual Plant Plant Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival to remember the man who led the civil rights movement using a combination of impassioned speeches and nonviolent protests to fight segregation and achieve civil rights advances for African-Americans. This year’s theme is “Excellence Through Education: College-Military-Vocational” as the contributions, opportunities and individuals who broke barriers as African-Americans are highlighted.
President of the Improvement League of Plant City William Thomas Jr. said King’s message was that all men (and women) are created equally and all cultures can be respectful of their differences, work together and fellowship together, a concept in harmony with the city’s vision plan. “Plant City is a place where we can ALL come together to live, work and play,” he said.
For GFWC Woman’s Club member Karen Griggsby, celebrating King’s birth is an annual tradition and holds a special place in her heart. “In our turbulent times we must focus on Dr. King’s message of love and non-violence not just in January but every day,” she said. “We have to live his vision, his dream, for all of us to get along, see no color and have a respect for each other as human beings.”
For more information about Plant City’s MLK events visit www.plantcitymlkfestival.com.
MLK events include:
Fri., Jan. 13, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony will commemorate the launch of the festival and will include a brief program, featuring keynote speaker Reverend Maxie Miller of New City Church of Plant City and presentations by Lincoln Elementary Magnet School’s music department and Marshall Middle Magnet IB World School’s Gentlemen’s Quest club.
Sat., Jan. 14, 11:30 a.m. -7 p.m. Downtown Plant City
37th Annual Plant City Black N Brown Expo, MLK Parade & Battle of the Drumlines Competition
The MLK Parade, which starts at 1 p.m., will include a number of floats, six marching bands, Tampa Bay Posse Corvette Club and Improvement League float led by Grand Parade Marshal Karen Chambers, retired Colonel U.S. Army and member of the National Association of the Buffalo Soldiers. The parade will meander down a 1.4 mile section of West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The MLK Battle of the Drumlines competition, sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union, begins immediately following the parade at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center.
Sun., Jan. 15, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m., Trinkle Center @ Plant City Community College Campus
Plant City MLK Leadership Breakfast
Eat breakfast catered by Steph’s Southern Soul Food Restaurant while listening to keynote speaker Mr. Otis Cleat, FAMU Board of Trustee and President of Pacific Railroad. Community Champion awards will also be distributed. Tickets cost $45 (table sponsorships start at $500). Call (813)704-5800 or (813) 757-6760 or visit the Bing Rooming House Museum at 205 South Allen Street for tickets.
Sun., Jan. 15, 4 p.m., Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 West Ball Street
Plant City MLK Gospel Fest
Be blown away by the musical talent of Georgia Mass Choir, an American gospel music choir from Macon, Georgia that performed in “A Preacher’s Wife” starring Whitney Houston. Tickets cost $20 per person. Contact Reverend Frederick Brinson for advance ticket information at (813) 650-4104.
Mon., Jan. 16, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Bing Rooming House Museum
5th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
Hosted by the GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City, this event will feature opening remarks by Mayor Nate Kilton and guest speaker Mr. Keith Worth, who performs a rendition of King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Light refreshments will be served.
Sat., Jan. 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sadie Gibbs Martin Community Center
Health, Fitness and Wellness Fair
Learn how to live a healthier lifestyle at this health fair and take a 2k walk through historic Lincoln Park a.k.a. “The Bottom”.
Now until Feb. 28
Plant City African-American Historic Trail Selfie Tour
Participants can take on the treasure hunt challenge and scour the Plant City area taking selfies with more than 30 people, places and things that have African-American historic significance. Visit www.plantcitymlkfestival.com/MLKSelfieTour for details and listings.