Beginning at 2 p.m. Monday and launching from the corner of Third Avenue and Walnut Street, the 41st Original KingFest Martin Luther King Jr. Marade/Parade wound its way through downtown to the steps of the Pine Bluff Civic Center.
Despite exceptionally cold temperatures, Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian L. Flowers presided as grand marshal of the event.
The celebration, begun in 1984, was established to honor the legacy of King and initiated by Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc.
“The parade is meant to tell a story,” said the Rev. Jesse Turner, executive director of PBICVR and a primary organizer of KingFest. “It symbolizes the bus-boycott in Montgomery (Alabama) with a city of Pine Bluff bus leading the parade and a garbage truck at the end symbolizing Dr. King’s death” in association with the Memphis “I Am a Man” garbage workers strike of April 1968.
“Folks braved the cold today to honor the man who bravely faced all kinds of danger at the risk of his own life to break down barriers that held his people back from equality,” Turner said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Numerous spectators lined the streets as the Watson Chapel School JROTC color guard and cadre of cadets led the procession along the route.
“We are the second largest battalion in the state,” Major Darryle Small said of his students. “We have a lot of dedicated cadets who put in hard work to properly represent Pine Bluff.”
Also participating in the parade were the Corvette Brothers of Pine Bluff displaying a variety of Chevrolet “Stingrays.”
“We are just happy to be a part of this celebration of Dr. King’s legacy,” said Club President Anthony Long.
The mayor also spoke about the occasion.
“Arkansas was a long time coming to officially celebrate Dr. King’s birthday individually and we are grateful to Gov. Asa Hutchinson for making it official during his administration,” Flowers said. “And I’m grateful to the leaders of Pine Bluff who recognized and observed this special day with (KingFest) years in advance of the rest of the state.”
The march ended with over 100 participants convening in the warm confines of the city council chambers where the afternoon program was introduced by fifth grader Avery Martin of Friendship Aspire Academy Public Charter School.
Following a prayer, song and a number of presentations, King Team Alumnus Joey Gardner briefly addressed the audience. The ceremony closed with remarks from Turner, who reminded listeners to continue to carry forth the work and ideals of King.
Mayor Vivian Flowers was the grand marshal of the Original KingFest™ MLK Marade/Parade on Monday. ‘I am grateful to the leaders of Pine Bluff who recognized and observed this special day with Kingfest years in advance of the rest of the state,’ she said. (Special to The Commercial/Richard Ledbetter)
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff King and Queen Joshua Watson and Freddiemae Thompson expressed their respect for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by appearing in the Original KingFest™ MLK Marade/Parade on Monday. (Special to The Commercial/Richard Ledbetter)
Rev. Jesse Turner (left) along with King Team members display their banner to launch the 41st Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc. Original KingFest™ MLK Marade/Parade. (Special to The Commercial/Richard Ledbetter)