St. Pete MLK Events 2020: What You Need to Know

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — St. Petersburg will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. starting with an MLK Day of Service on Friday and culminating with the 34th St. Petersburg MLK Dream Big Parade on Monday, Jan. 20.

Day Of Service

The MLK celebration will kick off Friday, Jan. 17 with an MLK Day of Service. Residents are invited to volunteer in the community and share their service by uploading photos to social media and tagging them with #SPCCares and #SPCMLKDayOfService2020.

MLK Dream Big Step Show

That evening, from 7 to 9 p.m., there will be an MLK Dream Big Step Show at the Gibbs campus of St. Petersburg College, 6605 5th Ave N. The show and step competition will feature step performances by college sororities and fraternities.

MLK Music and Culture Festival

On Saturday, Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the first MLK Music and Culture Festival will take place in Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Dr. S.E., in downtown St. Pete. The free event organized by Advantage Village Academy will feature live entertainment and vendors.

Those interested in being a vendor should contact the academy at 727-321-7929 or email advantagevillage@gmail.com.

MLK Dream Big Gospel Extravaganza

The first MLK Dream Big Gospel Extravanganza will take place Sunday, Jan. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church, 1045 16th St. S., St. Petersburg. The free event will be led by conductor Kevin Parrott and feature a variety of spiritual music.

MLK Dream Big Band Showcase

Also on tap Sunday, Jan. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. is the MLK Dream Big Band Showcase at the Campbell Park football field, 601 14th St. S., St. Petersburg. Watch as high school and college bands perform in a warm-up concert to Monday's parade. The event is free.

MLK Leadership Awards Breakfast

The 34st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Awards Breakfast will take place Monday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 a.m. at the St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Hosted by the National Council of Negro Women St. Petersburg Metropolitan Section, the breakfast honors community leaders whose works over the previous year demonstrate their outstanding commitment to serve humanity. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman. Tickets are $35.

34th MLK Dream Big Parade

The nation's longest-running parade honoring the slain civil rights leader, 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Big Parade attracts more than 40,000 participants and spectators.

It will take place Monday, Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. College and high school bands, city services, Mayor Rick Kriseman and city council members, civil rights groups, business leaders, church groups and community organizations will line up at 3rd Street and 1st Avenue South in downtown St. Pete and march to Tropicana field.

MLK Dream Big Family Fun Day

It will be followed by the fifth annual MLK Dream Big Family Fun Day at 2 p.m. at Tropicana Field with community activist Mark Oliver and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers football player Michael Clayton. It will feature football and basketball clinics, Special Olympics training, a group fitness workout, bounce houses, slides business and organization booths and food vendors.

I Have A Dream Youth Expo

Then, on Saturday, Jan. 25, Pretty Young Bosses INC will host its I Have a Dream Youth Expo 2020 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Campbell Park Recreation Center, 601 14th St. S., St. Petersburg.

The free expo is intended to empower and inspire youth to pursue entrepreneurship and become business owners. It will provide youth age 10 to 17 with tools needed to explore entrepreneurship as an option as they identify their career aspirations. The expo will include testimonies from young entrepreneurs, hands-on workshops facilitated by business owners, vendors and entertainment. Lunch will be provided. For information, call 727-313-6395 or email prettyyoungbosses1@gmail.com.

See related stories:

• St. Pete To Celebrate With Longest-Running MLK Parade In Country
• 40,000 Gather In St. Pete To Remember MLK's Legacy