The City of Long Beach, 6th District Councilmember Dee Andrews and the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine have announced that the 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace & Unity Parade Celebration’s theme will be “From Poverty to Prosperity.”
The event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 10:30am to 5pm. The parade will begin on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue intersecting Anaheim Street, and the multi-cultural celebration will follow at King Park, 1950 Lemon Ave.
According to Andrews’s office, one of the last teachings King focused on was the poverty. “I chose this year’s theme to bring to light a need that our nation and world continue to face,” Andrews said. “Poverty is very evident today, but in order to reach true equality and justice, all people have to have the means and the hope to be able to live healthy and prosperously. This is a goal that we all can reach together.”
In Long Beach, 23.04 percent of families with children are below the poverty line, according to Andrews’s office.
The celebration, which will be free to the public, will be an afternoon of music featuring the work of artists whose vision coincides with King’s voice for justice, peace and civil rights, according to Andrews’s office.
The celebration will also feature Dreamland, an entire area dedicated to youth to uphold King’s legacy. The youth area has a variety of activities for kids that include free carnival rides, arts & crafts booth, and an entertainment stage.
Currently, applications are being accepted for sponsorship, parade participants, vendors, performers, and volunteers. Community groups and organizations are encouraged to participate. The parade application fee is $85, and vendor fees range from $150 to $350. For more information, call (562) 570-6816.
Source: 6th District Council office
