A Virtual Parade: MLK Weekend Festivities Move Online

By Abby Baker

No matter how important the cause, a packed Martin Luther King Jr. parade in COVID-19 times is a no-go for the City of St. Petersburg.

“COVID has forced us to do a lot of things differently than we’ve done before, this is no different,” Ben Kirby, St. Petersburg Communications Director, said. “Public health is our number one priority.”

In an effort to avoid the crowds, the City of St. Petersburg will sponsor the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Big 2021 Celebration, hosted by Advantage Village Academy, online throughout the holiday weekend, Friday, January 15 through Monday, January 18.

The traditional MLK banquets and an interactive “history hunt” will all be online, as will the weekend’s typical highlight – the parade. How, exactly, do you have a virtual parade? There will be no beads or floats, but the hour-long, prerecorded parade presentation will consist of interviews from regional and city officials such as Congressman Charlie Crist and St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin.

“We want this to be fun for the kids,” Toriano Parker, CEO of Advantage Village Academy, said, “not just long clips of talking. I want it to be interactive and draw them in, which may be tough this year.”

Intermingled will be previous St. Petersburg MLK parade footage and standout clips from Advantage Village Academy.

“I think it will be a lot more appreciated this year,”

St. Petersburg Director of Urban Affairs Nikki Gaskin- Capehart said. “It’s really going to honor Dr. King and his legacy.”

A bad year for the bead necklace industry. The City of St Petersburg will post the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Dream Big 2021 Celebration online, including the annual MLK parade. Photo of the 2020 MLK Dream Big Parade.

City of St Petersburg