Community Corner

MLK Cultural Arts Festival in Plant City Runs Through Jan. 16

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival extends to Eastern Hillsborough County. Four-day calendar of events includes: Motown, hip-hop, carnival midway and vendors, walking tours, leadership breakfast, Freedom Walk and Freedom Parade.

The Plant City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival continues today, Jan. 14, with a parade through the streets of the city.

The festival's aims are to promote "increased diversity awareness and opportunities for the citizens of Plant City and surrounding West Cental Florida to actively engage in gaining knowledge and history of of African culture."

Toward that end, here's a list of activities yet to engage in over the course of the four-day festival, which runs from Jan. 13-16.

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Plant City MLK Festival Events, January 14:

  • Carnival midway and vendors at the Plant City MLK Sports Complex, through 9 p.m. The complex is at 1601 East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. / 813-757-9194
  • Freedom Parade, with start time 1 p.m., beginning at Wheeler Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The 1.2-mile parade route proceeds east on the boulevard and ends at Marshall Middle School, 18 South Maryland Ave. Parade Marshal is Felton Williams, owner and founder of Felton's Meat & Produce. Marching bands to perform are from Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest high schools and from Marshall, Tomlin and Turkey Creek middle schools. Additional information and the entrant listing is posted online.
  • Hip-Hop Concerts are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., courtside at the at the Plant City MLK Sports Complex, through 9 p.m. The complex is at 1601 East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. / 813-757-9194
  • Night of Motown, in the ballroom at the Plant City Red Rose Inn & Suites, at 2011 North Wheeler St. Featuring the "Contours" and "Johnny Alson at the Motown Revue." Tickets range from $65 to $85. Proceeds to benefit youth and family programs of the Plant City Improvement League. / 813-752-3141
  • Statewide Step and Dance Team Competition, following a qualifying round in Plant City on Feb. 13, ends with the final round of competition 2:30 p.m. at the Bryant Stadium in Lakeland.

Plant City MLK Festival Events, January 15:

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  • Leadership Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., in the ballroom at the Plant City Red Rose Inn & Suites, at 2011 North Wheeler St. Guest speaker is Albert Dotson Jr., president and chairman of the board of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Durant High School JROTC to be on hand as well as special enteratinment. Photography exhibition by Plant City Photo Archives. Attendees reportedly to include residents, church leaders, business community representatives and city, county, state and federal officials. Organizers note as well that at the breakfast recognition is given to individuals and businesses that "make a difference in the community and neighborhoodsof Plant City each year." Awards given include the following: E.L. Bing (education), Sadye Martin (community service), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (leadership). Cost is $25; reservations required. / 813-752-3141
     
  • Carnival midway and vendors at the Plant City MLK Sports Complex, from 1-9 p.m. The complex is at 1601 East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. / 813-757-9194

Plant City MLK Festival Events, January 16:

  • Freedom Walk, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., is scheduled to start at the Bing Rooming House, at 205 Allen Street, and end at the Samuel W. Cooper Park, 900 East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Children vendors from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Bing House Museum.


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