Annual MLK parade in Kingstown cancelled due to COVID-19

Folks from Cleveland County gathered in Kingstown to celebrate the MLK Day Parade in 2019.
Folks from Cleveland County gathered in Kingstown to celebrate the MLK Day Parade in 2019.
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A spike in COVID-19 numbers has prompted the town of Kingstown to cancel its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade.

The town, named after King, was looking forward to playing host to the event, as they are one of the few municipalities in Cleveland County to celebrate the holiday.

Mayor Janet Gerald expressed her disappointment, saying it is an honor to remember the life and courage of the man who fought relentlessly for equality.

“The ceremony is very important to us,” said Gerald. “At one time we held a Christmas parade here in Kingstown, but our parade fell on the same day as the other communities in the county. Although we had great participation, the community decided since no one around was having a parade for Dr. King, so we should hold a parade. It’s very important for us to keep his name and his dream alive in the community, and the parade was one big way to do that.”

The event was scheduled for Jan. 22 in which a lineup of cars would ride through the town. Two guest speakers were selected to talk to the older and young generation regarding the Civil Rights movement.

Latrice Williams can be reached at 704-669-3339 and lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Annual MLK parade in Cleveland County cancelled due to COVID-19