Tampa, St. Pete parades set today to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

1963, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Martin Luther King Jr. addresses marchers during his "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. King will be honored during area parades today.

By TBO.com
Published: January 16, 2012
Updated: January 16, 2012 - 6:45 AM

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TAMPA --

Tampa and St. Petersburg will honor civic rights leader Martin Luther King today, on the 44-year anniversary of his assassination.

At 11 a.m., St. Petersburg celebrates with bands, floats and other groups marching down Dr. Martin Luther King Street and Third Avenue South to Central Avenue, down Bayshore Drive and on to Vinoy Park.

In Tampa, bands, businesses and other marching units celebrate with a parade today at noon that moves through east Tampa. The parade starts at 15th Street and Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard heading east, then heads north on 22nd Street to Middleton High School.

The Plant City MLK Cultural Arts Festival continues at 11 a.m. today. The festival, at Plant City MLK Sports Complex, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., features a step show, entertainment and cultural/educational forums. Admission is $10.