Plant City's MLK Festival Midway, Freedom Walk, Leadership Awards

The final day of the four-day festival in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. is under way in Plant City, with midway and vendors and a Freedom Walk that visits historic landmarks in the Eastern Hillsborough County community.

The day’s activities follow a morning leadership breakfast held at the Plant City Red Rose Inn & Suites, where Plant City Mayor Dan Raulerson received this year’s MLK Award for Leadership.

The Plant City Improvement League President's Award was given to Daisy Gilmore, the league's secreatary.

The E.L. Bing Award for Education was given to the Sarah Chapter Order of the Eastern Stars, at 206 South Maryland Ave., while the Sadye Martin Award for Community Service was given to the Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries.

The carnival, from 1-9 p.m., is at the Plant City MLK Sports Complex, at 1601 East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (For information, call: 813-757-9194.)

The 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, at 900 East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Children vendors from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. are scheduled as well at the Bing House Museum.

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."

Other festival events included hip-hop concerts, a Motown music revue, a statewide step and dance team competition and the city's annual Freedom Parade.