History of The Parade
The MLK Parade in St. Petersburg, Florida, stands as one of the longest-running and most celebrated tributes to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the southeastern United States. Established in the 1980s, the parade began as a grassroots effort to honor Dr. King’s message of unity, nonviolence, and justice for all. Over the decades, it has grown into a cultural cornerstone of the city—drawing thousands of spectators, community leaders, youth groups, and performers from across the region. More than just a celebration, the parade serves as a living testament to the strength, resilience, and contributions of the African American community in St. Petersburg. It reinforces Dr. King's vision while educating new generations about the ongoing fight for equality and the importance of civic pride, cultural expression, and collective remembrance.
The Growth
Since its start in 1985, the MLK Parade has drawn an estimated 2.5 million spectators to the streets of St. Petersburg, making it one of the largest and longest-running MLK Day parades in the nation. Attendance has grown from roughly 50,000 in its early years to crowds topping 100,000 in recent celebrations, with each parade uniting the community in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through music, dance, and cultural pride. In recent years, Advantage Village Academy has carried forward this tradition, helping the parade reach new levels of community engagement and visibility while ensuring the spirit of unity and celebration remains at its heart.
Estimated Cumulative Attendance of The MLK Parade from 1985- 2025
Pictures provided by The City of St. Pete
