Mesa and its residents pay tribute to the leadership and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The day of remembrance on Martin Luther King (MLK) Day, Monday, Jan. 20 will begin with the annual Mesa-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in downtown Mesa followed by a community festival from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Plaza at Mesa City Center, located at 56 E. Main St. This year’s celebration theme is Building Bridges: Cultivating Our Community honoring Dr. King’s legacy by emphasizing unity, inclusion and community growth.
Arizonas only MLK Parade starts at the Center Street and MLK Way intersection, travels south on Center Street to First Street, then east on First Street to Hibbert where it will end. The parade includes marching bands, faith-based and other local organizations, community leaders, elected officials and several City of Mesa departments to make it a truly festive and inclusive community event. The grand marshal will be representatives from Salt River Project for their commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout the community.
Following the parade, the Mesa-East Valley MLK Festival is from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main Street. The community festival features food, vendors, live music and other entertainment, interactive line dancing and a Kids Unity Corner with activities and crafts. Vitalant will be having a blood drive at the festival. The movie Selma, chronicling Dr. Kings campaign to secure voting rights during an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965, will be played at 1 p.m. inside the ASU MIX Center in partnership with the Sidney Poitier New American Film School…