By Emma Longwell, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
Apopka residents lined the streets on Monday to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as its 16th Annual parade brought the community together in a powerful display of unity and celebration.
“It’s an important part of history we must remember,” said Deborah Maka, an attendee of the 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Apopka Parade.
The South Apopka Ministerial Alliance hosted the parade. Their motto is “Area Churches Coming Together” for one common purpose – build partnerships and relationships.
The parade started at 2:00 pm on 5th Street, turned left on Marvin C Zanders Avenue, right on West 13th Street, and ended at the John Bridges Center. It's approximately 1.3 miles long and covers parts of Apopka and South Apopka.
From “Young Blacks in Action” Community Band and Dancettes Inc. to Star 94.5 – Orlando’s ONLY R&B station, businesses and people from the Apopka community all came together to spend a day celebrating unity and acceptance.
Ashanti Veasy was there to support her son, a junior at Oak Ridge High School. Its band was one of the parade participants.
Shalves Anderson, an African American woman from Jamaica, states that she attended the parade out of respect for MLK.
"I’m African American. I’m from Jamaica. That’s my basic culture; today is Dr. Martin Luther King’s Day," she said. "What better way to spend it than celebrating all that he has done for us as an African nation for sure. . . And I’m from Jamaica where it’s ‘Out of Many, One People,’ so unity is what it's all about.”
The smiles on the faces of some of the attendees were heartwarming, whether that was from interacting with participants, such as with the dancers and band members, or participants handing out candy to children beaming with joy.
The 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Apopka Parade was a heartfelt celebration of unity, diversity, and the enduring legacy of Dr. King. Residents from the community gathered to honor his vision of equality and justice, showcasing the strength of togetherness through music, dance, and shared stories. As attendees reflected on the importance of Dr. King’s work, the event served as a reminder that his message remains as relevant today as ever: the pursuit of unity and acceptance is a journey that continues to bring communities closer together.
Photos by Kayley Hayden (@kayleyhaydenphotography), interning photographer for The Apopka Voice.
