The 2023 festivities honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Junior include a jazz festival that starts Friday, January 20th, and the MLK Parade on Saturday, January 21st.
The Swan City Jazz Festival is a FREE event that will take place January 20-21 at Munn Park from 3 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. each evening. The event is free so bring a lawn chair, a blanket and be prepared to hear wonderful jazz under the stars. For additional information go to: www.swancityjazzfestival.com. The 2023 lineup includes two amazing headliners as well as local jazz ensembles.
Friday, January 20th Saturday, January 21st
Mulberry Jazz Ensemble LHS Jazz Band
Harrison School of the Arts Jazz Orchestra Lakeland Anchor & Swan City Quartet
Winter Haven Jazz Messengers Swan City Jazz Project
All County Jazz Band Robbs Trio
Let’s Ride Jazz Band The Franchise Players
Paula Atherton Jazmin Ghent
One of the event organizers, Lynne Simpkins said, “This event has continued to grow steadily each year and now we have a multi-day jazz festival. We believe cultural experiences such as this will continue to honor the legacy of Dr. King by helping to shape the look and feel of our community. We are very blessed this year to have an awesome line-up that includes two amazing female saxophonists as headliners for each night.”
The MLK Parade features over 100 participants and it takes place on Saturday, January 21st with a 1 p.m. start time. The parade route will start on Providence Road at the 14th Street intersection. The parade will travel Providence Road and then turn east on 10th Street before heading south on MLK Avenue. The parade will include professional floats, step/dance teams, walkers, decorated vehicles, car clubs, and marching bands. The theme for this year’s parade is “Our History is Our Future – Protect It and Preserve It”. This year’s parade will feature a senior citizen’s seating section and a vendor/exhibitor area at 10th and MLK where the judging will take place. Volunteers will be along the entire route to assist with safety and distribution of information. Simpkins said, “The Grand Marshal for this year’s parade is Willie Horton, retired Detroit Tiger Player who started with that organization in 1963. He has a storied professional baseball career spanning 18-years, and he is famous for standing in his Detroit Tigers uniform during a 1967 race riot pleading for peace. This will be legendary Lakeland High School football coach, Bill Castle’s first community appearance since his retirement announcement and after recently winning an eighth state championship.” Those participating in the parade can pick-up their information packets on Tuesday, January 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Coleman Bush Building (1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue). The community is encouraged to attend the MLK Parade and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King maintained a vision for a more diverse America where all enjoyed the benefits of equality.