The staff of the Martin Luther King Recreation Center has big plans for this coming weekend.
The recreation center will host its annual four-day MLK Festival, celebrating the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
And, this year, the plans are as big as ever.
To kick things off, the center will host the opening ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17. The Rev. Maxie Miller will be speaking at the event, after a welcome by Plant City officials. There also will be performances by the Lincoln IB Elementary Choir and Marshall Middle School’s Gentlemen’s Quest group. This event is free to the public, and the center staff encourages city employees to stop by whenever they can and have lunch.
Also on Friday will be Youth Night at the carnival midway, held at the MLK Sports Complex. From 5 until 10 p.m., Plant City youths will enjoy all their favorite carnival games and have a little fun after dinner.
Jan. 18 will be the most action-packed day of the festival. The carnival midway will open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Then, the parade will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., starting at Waller Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and ending at the sports complex.
Bettye Goodwine, local retired teacher and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority alumna, will be this year’s parade marshal. This parade will feature appearances by the Tampa Bay Pose Corvette Club, Strawberry Crest High School’s entire JROTC Battalion and Color Guard and the CowBros — a group of local African-American cowboys.
After the parade, a few concerts will be held around town. The sports complex will host several R&B artists and deejays from 2 to 8 p.m., and gospel singers will perform at 4 p.m. at the center.
Headlining the main event is Jre Riley, known for his spot as a competitor on rapper Diddy and MTV’s “Making the Band.” Riley, now a solo artist, is gaining some momentum from his latest single, “Movin’ In.” The co-headliners are Shemida J, a Bahamian-born crooner, and Artist Franky. Deejays from the Plant City area will take over at 6 p.m. and play their own sets until 8 p.m.
The center also will host its Gospel Extravaganza at 4 p.m. This event, sponsored by Edith Langston and Gospel METS, will feature gospel singers from throughout Florida celebrating King’s legacy in the way they know best — through praise and song.
The festival continues Jan. 19, with the MLK Leadership Breakfast, at the HCC Plant City John R. Trinkle Center. Bay News 9’s Erica Riggins will be the mistress of ceremonies, and Dr. Gladys Wright, a retired educator from Gainesville, will be the guest speaker.
Following a military tribute by Durant High School’s JROTC Color Guard, three Community Awards will be presented: one for HCC English Instructor Dr. Maribeth L. Mobley, one for Marshall Middle School Gentlemen’s Quest founder Stanley Glover, and one for Sister Evalina Scott, First Lady of St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church, in Bealsville.
The carnival midway also will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
The festival concludes Jan. 20, with the Freedom Walk, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sam Cooper Park. There also will be free Zumba lessons, fitness information, and free tours and a movie shown at the Bing House Museum.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
COMMUNITY AWARDS
E.L. Bing Education Award (Dr. Maribeth L. Mobley). Recognizes an individual or organization whose actions support improvement in the areas of education involving at-risk youth and young adults in the Plant City area.
MLK Leadership Award (Stanley Glover). Recognizes an individual or organization that has supported or committed to the overall mission of the Improvement League and its programs.
Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Service Award (Sister Evalina Scott). Recognizes an individual or organization that contributes to the community through their community service, such as performing volunteer work or serving as a representative on a civic or government committee.
IF YOU GO
FRIDAY, JAN. 17
11:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony at Plant City MLK Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City. Cermony will feature the Rev. Maxie Miller, the Lincoln Elementary IB Choir and Drummer Club, and Marshall Middle School’s Gentlemen’s Quest. Carnival rides and midway will be open to the public.
SATURDAY, JAN. 18
10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Carnival rides and midway will be open to the public.
1 p.m.: MLK Parade through Historic Downtown Plant City. Parade marshal will be Bettye Goodwine, a local retired teacher and AKA sorority member.
1 p.m.: Jre concert
4 p.m.: Gospel Extravaganza at Plant City MLK Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City
SUNDAY, JAN. 19
7:30 a.m.: Leadership Breakfast at Hillsborough Community College Plant City’s John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road, Plant City. Cost is $25. Midway will be open to the public.
MONDAY JAN. 20
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Freedom Walk at Sam Cooper Park, 900 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.