On Monday, January 20, thousands of people gathered to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the annual MLK Day Parade. The parade, now in its 13th year, featured over 300 schools as well as marching bands, dance and equestrian groups, motorcycle clubs, bikers, and walkers. Mayor Muriel Bowser led the parade accompanied by special guest Martin Luther King III who made history by being the first member of the King family to participate.
The sounds of Go-Go music filled the streets enticing residents out of their homes along the MLK corridor in freezing temperatures to celebrate the historic event. The parade concluded on the St. Elizabeths East campus where parade participants were acknowledged at the grand stand hosted by Sam Ford of WJLA and Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher for the Washington Informer and Events DC Board member.
At the conclusion of the parade, all were welcomed to participate in the Health and Wellness fair held at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center. The health fair included community vendors, healthy food options, restorative yoga, fresh local produce, and the United Planning Organization (UPO) provided over 500 coats to youth and adult residents.
