ORLANDO, Fla. – A resurgence in COVID cases prompted organizers of the City of Orlando’s MLK parade to hold a showcase event instead of the traditional parade for a second year in a row.
Alexis Lewis, with the Southwest Orlando Jaycees, said they were holding out hope the parade could happen this year.
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“We were very hopeful for a parade this year and as you can see everybody was wishing we could have that interaction,” Lewis said.
Even if the parade didn’t happen, the longstanding tradition of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King is still going strong.
The City of Orlando partnered with the Southwest Orlando Jaycees and the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center to host the MLK showcase.
Organizers said this is the second year of the performance instead of the parade that marches down Orange Avenue.
“Due to COVID unfortunately our mayors, our commissioners from the city and county both decided that we’re going to err on the side of safety,” Lewis said.
Acts that normally show off their talents in the parade took to the stage.
People attending the event said even if we’re celebrating differently this year, it’s still important to honor Dr. King and remember his message.
“I think togetherness shows that we still have that same mind frame as Dr. Martin Luther King: to fight for what is right, to build each other up, not to tear one another down, so we celebrate that,” attendee Vicki Devine said.