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38th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade in St. Pete draws groups from across Florida

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Published  January 20, 2025 4:45pm EST
St. Petersburg
FOX 13 News

St. Pete MLK Parade

FOX 13's Kylie Jones was at the parade and talked with people celebrating the holiday.

The Brief

    • Thousands of people attended St. Pete's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade.
    • The 38th annual parade celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy.
    • St. Pete Fire Rescue Chief Keith Watts served as the 2025 Grand Marshal for the parade.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Thousands of people came out to St. Petersburg on Monday to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

St. Pete held its 38th MLK Dream Big Weekend, culminating in the MLK Dream Big Parade on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"It's unity, it's love, and it's the appreciation for what he did for us," Vivian Armstrong said.

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Local perspective:

Children, adults and families filled 1st Avenue in downtown St. Pete to watch the parade.

"It's important to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, because he brought everyone together for a good benefit," Deandra East said.

People came from near and far to watch the parade. Anthony Parker, who is originally from St. Pete, traveled across the country to come.

"It's important to celebrate Black heritage, Martin Luther King and also celebrate the HBCUs," Parker said. "I'm an Alpha, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated."

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Armstrong was born and raised in St. Pete, and said she’s been attending the parade for 25 years.

"As being someone who's 65, I want to be a legend for my grandchildren, to let them know that this is important," Armstrong said.

Big picture view:

St. Pete Fire Rescue Chief Keith Watts, the city's first Black fire chief, served as the 2025 Grand Marshal for the parade. City leaders, law enforcement agencies around Pinellas County, and bands and dance teams from high schools and universities around the state joined in the parade.

"The different cultures, the different nationalities, how everybody can come together and just represent," Armstrong said.

This year, the Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band joined the parade.

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People who came out to enjoy the parade said it’s a representation of Dr. King Jr. and what he did for the nation.

"It means that we have a voice," one parade attendee said.

Parade organizers said this is one of the biggest Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations in the country.

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