Even as activities continue to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., thousands of Central Floridians have already joined Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer on the weekend to participate in several community events.
“Every year I am even more impressed with the events that my Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission organizes every January to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “This year’s weekend of events was another great opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy of equality, justice, freedom, peace and harmony for all races and cultures.”
Dyer on Monday, January 17, joined with the community at the 20th annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Breakfast in honor or Fr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Orlando’s first African American City Commissioner, Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy. The mayor also participated with members of different faiths, traditions and backgrounds for a candlelight vigil and march from City Hall to Shiloh Baptist Church, following which he attended the interfaith multicultural celebration at the church.
But perhaps the high point of the MLK celebrations thus far, was the 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, hosted by the Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission and the Southwest Orlando Jaycees on January 15, in Downtown Orlando. Led by Orlando Mayor Dyer and this year’s grand marshal, Judge Perry, the parade, consisted of more than 100 floats involving local middle school, high school and collegiate marching bands, dance troupes, drum lines and community groups.
Other planned activities include, a “Recognition of Youth Humanitarian Award Winners” event, to be presented by the Orlando Magic on Friday, January 21, where selected students from Orange County middle and high schools will receive this award for exemplifying Dr. King’s ideals.
On Saturday, January 21, an “Orlando Day of Respect” will be hosted by Jones High School. This event will be presented by Hope of Salvation Help Ministries & Jesus House of Prayer of Holiness, Inc.
For more information, please visit: www.cityoforlando.net.
