JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — There's no shortage of activities and events happening across the First Coast meant to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the national holiday on Monday. Whether it be a parade, clean up, or just visiting a museum, here's a look at some of the events communities are holding to honor Dr. King.
MLK Week of Service
Residents across the First Coast can honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for more than just a single day by participating in the City of Jacksonville's MLK Week of Service from Jan. 12 to Jan. 20. The event is set to be the largest volunteer effort in Jacksonville's history.
The City of Jacksonville collaborated with the United Way of North East Florida and Ameri Corp to promote neighborhood-based volunteer projects for the week of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Projects include repairing homes, distributing food and promoting better financial health in underserved communities. Service events will take place in counties: Duval, Clay and Nassau.
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service by Congress.
For more information on volunteer opportunities, CLICK HERE.
MLK Holiday Grand Parade 2024 - Jacksonville
The 43rd annual MLK Holiday Parade in Jacksonville will be held Monday at 10 a.m. The parade will kick off at Gator Bowl Boulevard and will span two miles, coming to an end at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
The year's theme for the event is "Jacksonville: A City United Against Hate and Gun Violence"
For more information, CLICK HERE.
MLK Day at the Prime Osborn Convention Center
After the parade ends, visitors can attend the MLK Day at the Prime Osborn Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature local food trucks and vendors, along with entertainment. The event is free to the public.
MLK Day of Service Cleanup at Blue Cypress Park
Timucuan Parks Foundations, in partnership with JaxParks, is holding a clean-up on Monday morning at Blue Cypress Park located at 4012 University Blvd. N. in Arlington.
Volunteers are asked to meet at the fishing pier at Blue Cypress Park at 8 a.m. where there will be a shoreline cleanup with litter removal until 11 a.m.
Volunteers are asked to wear closed-toed shoes, clothes they don't mind getting dirty, insect repellant and a reusable water bottle. TPF will provide gloves, trash bags, snacks and water.
A parent or group leader must accompany anyone under the age of 16. Anyone under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Volunteers 18 and older will sign a waiver on-site Monday.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
Cummer Museum's MLK Jr. Day Celebration - Honoring Coretta
The Cummer Museum will hold a day of reflection in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King on Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for anyone to attend.
The museum will have showings of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech and "Dear Coretta", along with a self-guided MLK Day & Black History Month scavenger hunt and painting activity.
At 11:30 a.m., faith leaders will hold a Prayer for Peace and a youth chorus performance from the Jacksonville Arts & Music School. The Ritz Chambers Players will perform at 1 p.m.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
Fernandina Beach Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
The Fernandina Beach community is holding an MLK Jr. Parade from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
St. Augustine's 4th Annual MLK Day of Service Cleanup & Silent March
The City of St. Augustine is holding a community day of service and remembrance for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Volunteers are asked to assist in the 4th Annual MLK Day Cleanup from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday. Groups will focus on cleaning up some of the oldest African American cemeteries in Florida, including the Pinehurst and San Sebastian cemeteries.
Volunteers will meet at 252 N Mc. Laughlin St. and are asked to bring gloves, trash bags, warm clothes and their own water bottles. Those cleaning up cemeteries should bring gardening tools including rakes and pruners, though they are not mandatory. Breakfast and ice cream will be provided to volunteers.
After the clean-up, attendees are welcome to join the Silent March in Downtown St. Augustine starting at St. Benedict the Moor Church at 86 M L King Avenue at 10:30 a.m. The march will end at the Plaza de la Constitución.
The march will commemorate the marches in St. Augustine led by Dr. King during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
After the march, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be music and spoken word at the Plaza de la Constitución
For more information CLICK HERE.
Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center will be open from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day with admission costing $5 for visitors.
The museum, located at 102 Martin Luther King Avenue, St. Augustine, is encouraging people to come and learn about Dr. King's local impact on the Civil Rights Movement in Lincolnville.
Visitors will also get the chance to visit the LMCC's living memorial for Dr. King, which includes an annual theme celebrating Dr. King's work and legacy. The 2024 theme for The King Center is ‘Shifting the Cultural Climate through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence’.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
Green Cove Springs Martin Luther King Jr. Day Ceremony
The City of Green Cove Springs will hold its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Vera Francis Hall Park on Monday.
The ceremony will feature a keynote speaker along with a performance from First African Missionary Baptist Church youth Choir and other community members. A catered lunch will also be provided after the ceremony.
For more information CLICK HERE.
NAACP Camden County Branch's Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March & Program
The NAACP Camden County Branch will host the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March & Program starting at 10 a.m. at the Kingsland Lions Park located at 583 S. Grove Blvd.
The march will end at the First African Missionary Baptist Church, located at 495 N. Lee St., where local Black-owned businesses and vendors will set up to offer food and drinks for purchase.
The church will hold a program inside the sanctuary at 11:30 a.m., with Rev. Dr. K.V. Davis as emcee and keynote speaker Camden County Schools Superintendent Dr. Tracolya Green.
For more information CLICK HERE.
Free Entry to Florida National Parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
National parks in Florida don't waive entrance fees often - but Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is one of those special days.
For people in St. Augustine, the Castillo de San Marcos is offering free entry in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
