Hundreds march in 40th Annual MLK Jr. Parade in downtown Gainesville 

Jan 15, 2024 4:29 pm
Participants walked from Bo Diddley Plaza to Citizens Field for the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade.
Participants walked from Bo Diddley Plaza to Citizens Field for the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson
Gainesville City Manager Cynthia Curry speaks at the start of the ceremony.
Photo by Seth Johnson Gainesville City Manager Cynthia Curry speaks at the start of the ceremony.

Hundreds of participants gathered on University Avenue in front of Gainesville City Hall for the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.  

Kicking off at noon, the marchers strode down University Avenue before heading north on Waldo Road to Citizens Field. The Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida then hosted a post-parade celebration at Citizens Field with the Eastside Alumni Marching Band and Little Jake and the Soul Searchers.  

The parade and celebration culminate a week of events coordinated by the commission, including its 39th Annual Gala and the third Stephan P. Mickle Jazz Concert.  

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Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey, left, State Attorney Brian Kramer, center, and Public Defender Stacy Scott walk at the start of the parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey, left, State Attorney Brian Kramer, center, and Public Defender Stacy Scott walk at the start of the parade.
Alpha Phi Alpha Society members walk in the parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson Alpha Phi Alpha Society members walk in the parade.
Board members of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida introduced at the post-parade ceremony.
Photo by Seth Johnson Board members of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida introduced at the post-parade ceremony.
Participants walked from Bo Diddley Plaza to Citizens Field for the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. (1)
Photo by Seth Johnson Participants walked from Bo Diddley Plaza to Citizens Field for the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade.
Monday's parade marked the 40th annual hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida.
Photo by Seth Johnson Monday’s parade marked the 40th annual hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida.
Rodney Long, president of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida, speaks at the post-parade event.
Photo by Seth Johnson Rodney Long, president of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida, speaks at the post-parade event.
The Greater Bethel AME Church gathers to begin the parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson The Greater Bethel AME Church gathers to begin the parade.
The Greater Bethel AME Church group marches past the Headquarters Library at the start of the parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson The Greater Bethel AME Church group marches past the Headquarters Library at the start of the parade.
Three young girls ride in the back of a Alachua County Sheriff's Office truck during the parade.
Photo by Seth Johnson Three young girls ride in the back of a Alachua County Sheriff’s Office truck during the parade.

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  • Seth Johnson

    Seth Johnson is a Mainstreet Daily News reporter based in Gainesville. He earned a degree in journalism and mass communication and served as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. Seth is a bookworm and chess nerd, but he tempers these activities by playing sports and biking.

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Loretta Johnson-McCray

Nice pictures Seth!

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