Riviera Beach honors Martin Luther King with parade's return to holiday weekend

RIVIERA BEACH — With bands marching in unison and dancers moving in rhythm, music filled the air Saturday morning as Riviera Beach marked the return of its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday parade to its traditional date.

Dressed in sweaters and jackets, or huddled under blankets, thousands of spectators and participants braved chilly morning temperatures as local dignitaries, bands and civic organizations walked or rode along Blue Heron Boulevard in honor of the civil rights icon.

"We had a great turnout despite the cold weather," parade organizer Aladia Franks-Edwards said after the event.

Last year, the city postponed the parade due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in January, instead combining its King commemorative festivities with its Juneteenth and Centennial celebration in June. For many spectators and participants, the parade's return to its traditional date was a fitting start to the holiday weekend.

"It means so much because we're honoring Martin Luther King's birthday," said Angela Williams, founder of the Mothers Against Murderers Association (MAMA), whose organization had about 30 to 40 members participate in the parade.

The Sounds of Success Warriors, a marching band of local students scheduled to perform in London this year, the Florida Memorial University marching band and the Riviera Beach Cheers cheer program were among the groups entertaining the crowd.

Frank Jones said he traveled from Fort Pierce to watch the parade, joining a large crowd of onlookers gathered near Blue Heron and Avenue S.

"It's nice to come out here," he said. "I try to do it every year."

Brad Blackman of the International Masons said participating in Saturday's parade was an opportunity to honor "a great man and his legacy."

King, a Baptist minister and activist born Jan. 15, 1929, was best known for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience. He was one of the most prominent figures of the civil rights movement from 1954 until his assassination in April 1968.

Advancing the dream and building harmony was the prominent theme during Saturday's parade in Riviera Beach. On the eve of King's birthday, Blackman said progress in the fight for equality and improved race relations has been slow.

"It's been slow, but you have to keep the faith," he said. "Nobody out there has a magic wand or magic answers. It's all done through hard work and patience."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Riviera Beach honors Martin Luther King Jr. with annual holiday parade