Dr. Martin Luther King Day honors the life and contributions of America's greatest champion of racial justice and equality, a leader who not only dreamed of a colorblind society, but who also began a movement that brought about historic reforms to make this dream a near reality. While some see the holiday as a convenient break from the tedium of work or school, others gather to observe the holiday and celebrate Dr. King's accomplishments.
Plant City's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival occurs at the MLK Recreation Complex (1601 E. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Plant City), and promotes the contributions of African-American culture to the progress and diversity of Plant City and Eastern Hillsborough County. Revelers can attend an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday; hang at a carnival Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 13-16; check out a city parade at 1 p.m. Saturday; or journey to the HCC-Plant City Campus and chow down at a leadership breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Sunday (1206 N. Park Road). For more information, call 813-757-6760.
In Tampa, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Family Festival takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at that city's MLK Recreation Complex (2300 N. Oregon Ave., Tampa). This free happening includes continuous entertainment, a sweet potato pie contest, make-n-take crafts and an array of games (813-274-8615).
Listen to the words of Dr. King and enjoy music, storytelling and dance at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute. The inspirational program is hosted by Fred Johnson and features performances by an assortment of community youth groups and special guests. (7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, TBPAC, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, 813-229-7827).
From noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, have fun watching the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Parade, which leaves from Blake High School (1701 N. Boulevard, Tampa), proceeds west on Main Street, south on Willow Street, east on Cypress Avenue and south on N. Boulevard into Pepin Rood Stadium (813-247-0952).
Finally, Hillsborough Community College hosts a celebration from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the Administration Building at the Ybor City Campus (Ninth Avenue and Republica De Cuba). Dr. Samuel Lamar Wright Sr., associate dean of student relations at USF, is the keynote speaker, and Deiah Riley of ABC Action News serves as Master of Ceremonies. Music, dance and poetry readings are presented by the Blake High School Gospel Choir and HCC students, and the Martin Luther King Committee hosts a reception following the event, with performances by the HCC Jazz Ensemble in the campus courtyard (813-253-7726).
This article appears in Jan 12-18, 2005.
