Annual Martin Luther King parade draws thousands

Today, thousands of people flocked to Downtown Wilmington to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The  Martin Luther King Jr. Parade was hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee. It featured speeches by city and community leaders; marching bands; motorcycles; and free candy.

The day of celebration was enjoyed by both children and adults.

But the event is about something far more important than motorcycles and candy–it’s about carrying on the message King left behind.

“It helps people keep striving for a better tomorrow for everyone,” said parade attendee Timothy Sims. “And that’s not just in the black community. It’s in the black and white community…we can all help each other become better people.”

The event was one of many recent events held in the Cape Fear area to honor King’s legacy.

Last week, the Celebration Committee kicked off its festivities with a meet-and-greet, followed by a hat parade, fashion show, comedy show, potluck, step show, and dinner banquet MC’d by WWAY’s own Amanda Fitzpatrick.

The celebrations aren’t over yet. This Thursday, UNCW will continue to honor King with a speech from nationally-recognized TV host Rowland Martin. It will be followed by a Q & A on the subject of race, representation, and MLK’s rich legacy in modern America.